Eastern Shipbuilding Group began construction today on Washington State Ferries’ first new vessel in 11 years, marking the start with a ceremonial steel cutting at its shipyard in Panama City, Fla.
Washington’s contract with Eastern is to build two new 160-vehicle hybrid-electric ferries, with an option for a third vessel. Gov. Bob Ferguson also announced that he is exercising that option for a third new ferry.
“Washington’s fleet is aging, with 11 ferries over 40 years old, and one that’s 67. In 2015, Washington had 25 vessels,” Ferguson’s office said in a prepared statement. “By 2025, we were down to 21 due to vessel retirements. Our ferry system needs 26 vessels to operate effectively into the future.”
Washington State Ferries leadership joined representatives from Eastern in Florida for the steel cutting. Ferguson had planned to attend but canceled his trip due to the state’s devastating wildfires.
“This is the first time in a decade that construction is beginning on a new ferry,” said Ferguson. “In the past decade, we lost four ferries to retirement. Today signifies a critical step in rebuilding our fleet with modern vessels that will allow us to provide more dependable service.”
“Eastern Shipbuilding Group is proud to begin construction on these vessels and to partner with Washington State Ferries on one of the most important ferry modernization programs in the country,” said Joey D’Isernia, CEO of Eastern Shipbuilding Group. “Our team is committed to delivering safe, reliable, high-quality ferries that will serve Washington communities for decades. Today’s steel cutting is the next step in turning that commitment into three new vessels.”
“After years of design and procurement, today’s steel cutting marks an exciting moment where all of the planning becomes visible progress,” said Steve Nevey, WSF Deputy Secretary of Transportation. “These new hybrid-electric ferries will help us restore the reliability and resilience our customers depend on while building a cleaner, more modern fleet for the future. We are pleased to move forward with Eastern Shipbuilding Group and look forward to delivering these vessels to the people of Washington.”
Ferguson's decision to have Eastern build the new ferries, which followed a competitive bid process, marks the first time since the 1980s that Washington State Ferries has ordered new vessels from an out-of-state builder.
Under the contract, Eastern is to deliver three ferries for $714.5 million. “There are additional costs for owner-furnished equipment, construction management, WSF crew training, and risk contingencies. This brings the total cost of the three vessels to $1.15 billion. This is considerably less than the $1.3 billion appropriated by the legislature,” according to the governor’s office.
“The governor is committed to utilizing these savings to help fund a fourth ferry.”
Designed by Elliott Bay Design Group, Seattle, the hybrid/electric vessels will measure 409'6"x83'2"x24'6" with a draft of 16'6". They will be certified to transport 160 standard-sized passenger vehicles and 1,500 passengers.
Each vessel will be powered primarily by water-cooled battery energy storage systems supplied by Corvus Energy, with diesel engines installed for backup power. ABB will supply and integrate hybrid-electric propulsion systems. The ferries will be able to achieve a speed of 17 knots at full load and are designed to interface with all existing WSF dock facilities.
The new ferries are scheduled to enter service for WSF from 2030 and will operate on the Mukilteo-Clinton and Seattle-Bremerton routes.
WSF has previously announced plans to build up to 16 ships by the end of 2040, as part of a ferry electrification program targeting lower emissions.
