Three U.S. Shipyards Compete to Build Hybrid-Electric Ferries for Washington State

Three shipyards have shown interest in constructing a new series of hybrid-electric car and passenger ferries for Washington State Ferries WSF. These shipyards—Nichols Brothers Boat Builders in Washington, Eastern Shipbuilding Group in Florida, and Philly Shipyard in Pennsylvania—submitted pre-qualification packages after WSF opened the bidding process earlier this year, according to Steve Nevey, Assistant Secretary of the Washington State Department of Transportation WSDOT.

Previously, Washington law mandated that WSF vessels be built within the state. However, legislation passed in 2023 now allows WSDOT to seek bids from shipyards nationwide, enabling the agency to potentially contract with multiple builders to speed up the ferry electrification program, which has fallen behind schedule.

In 2019, Vigor, a Washington-based shipbuilder, was initially selected to design and build up to five hybrid-electric ferries, but disagreements over costs and contract terms led WSDOT to restart the bidding process in 2022.

The new series will include five ferries, each capable of carrying 1,500 passengers and 160 vehicles, featuring propulsion systems supplied by ABB.

Our next step is to visit these shipyards as we finalize the vessel designs, Nevey said. Later this year, we’ll invite qualified builders to submit bids.

Bids are expected in January, with the contract to be awarded in February 2025. The contract will cover at least two vessels, with options for up to five. WSDOT will offer a 13% credit for bids proposing construction within Washington State.

WSF is considering splitting the contract between the two lowest bidders, allowing two shipyards to build simultaneously for faster delivery. If this approach is chosen, the first two vessels could be operational by 2028, with additional deliveries in 2029 and 2030. These ferries are expected to improve service reliability on the Mukilteo/Clinton and Seattle/Bremerton routes.

WSF, the largest ferry system in the U.S., aims to operate a zero-emission fleet by 2050. The five hybrid-electric ferries are part of a larger $3.98 billion electrification plan, which includes retrofitting six existing diesel ferries, retiring 13 diesel vessels, and installing charging stations at 16 terminals.

In 2023, Vigor was awarded a contract to convert up to three Jumbo Mark II class ferries to hybrid-electric power, with the first conversion already underway.

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