3 vessels worth 5.1 billion! This shipyard builds the first batch of hybrid ferries

Recently, the Eastern Shipbuilding Group in the United States received a Notice to Proceed from the Washington State Ferry (WSF) to build 2+1 hybrid-powered roll-on/roll-off ferries for Washington State.

This is the first time in 25 years that Washington State has conducted ferry construction through an open tender. The new vessels will be used to modernize the WSF fleet and help Washington State restore ferry operations to pre-pandemic levels. In early July this year, Eastern Shipbuilding Group won the bid with the lowest offer of $714.5 million (approximately RMB 5.131 billion), which is 6% lower than WSF's estimated price.

The hybrid electric ferry measures approximately 124.8 meters in length, 25.35 meters in width, with a depth of nearly 7.5 meters and a draft of 5 meters. All ferries can carry 160 standard passenger vehicles and 1,500 passengers, with a full-load speed of up to 17 knots. Their design is compatible with all existing WSF terminal facilities.

David Sowers, WSF's electrification project manager, stated that these vessels will adopt advanced technological solutions for shore-based charging and battery storage, aiming to significantly reduce emissions generated by diesel and thereby improve their environmental performance.

According to the plan, the project will be implemented in phases: the first vessel is expected to cost $405 million, including $150 million for owner-supplied equipment, construction management, WSF crew training, and risk reserves; the second vessel is estimated at $360 million; the third is expected to cost $325 million, with risk reserves gradually decreasing as experience is gained from earlier phases.

Bob Ferguson of Washington State previously stated: "We are restoring local ferry services to pre-pandemic levels, a progress that is several years ahead of schedule, while also improving crew retention rates and soon welcoming the first hybrid electric ferry into operation."

Previously, in August 2023, WSF signed a $100 million contract with Vigor Shipyards to convert 2+1 Jumbo Mark II class large ferries from diesel power to hybrid power, with two vessels converted first and the third expected to start in 2025. This is one of the largest ferries in the WSF fleet, and the project aims to extend the service life of existing vessels.

As part of the project, the "Wenatchee" ferry has completed its hybrid conversion and is expected to return to service this month. The conversion work for the other two ferries, "Tacoma" and "Puyallup," has been postponed.

It is understood that WSF currently operates a fleet of 21 ferries serving the Puget Sound and Salish Sea regions, covering interstate routes and connecting to British Columbia, Canada. WSF's fleet modernization plan includes converting six existing diesel ferries to hybrid power, building 16 new hybrid vessels, retiring 13 diesel ferries, and equipping 16 terminals with shore power charging facilities.

Eastern Shipbuilding Group is a U.S.-based shipbuilding company with three shipyards along the Gulf Coast of Florida. It has extensive experience in commercial and defense shipbuilding, having participated in U.S. Coast Guard construction projects and delivered over 350 new vessels to date.