Construction Begins on Washington State's First New Ferry in 11 Years as State Adds Third Hybrid-Electric Vessel
The $1.15 billion program adds a third vessel as Washington seeks to replace aging boats and cut emissions with batteries and diesel engines.
- On Wednesday, Washington State Ferries and Eastern Shipbuilding Group marked the start of construction on Washington's first new ferry in 11 years at a Panama City, Florida, shipyard.
- Washington's ferry fleet has shrunk from 25 to 21 vessels since 2015, with 11 ferries exceeding 40 years old, prompting Governor Bob Ferguson to prioritize modernization.
- The state exercised its option to add a third vessel to the contract with Eastern, bringing the total construction cost to $714.5 million for three hybrid-electric ships.
- Scheduled for delivery between 2030 and 2032, the new 160-car ferries will run primarily on rechargeable battery power, with twin diesel generators serving as backup propulsion.
- An interim workgroup must report funding recommendations by December 15, 2026, to determine how Washington will finance additional vessels and expand its fleet to 26.
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Eastern Shipbuilding Group and Washington State Celebrate Steel Cutting of New Hybrid-Electric Ferry
WSF Announces agreement on Third Boat Eastern Shipbuilding Group Inc. (ESG) and Washington State Ferries marked the start of construction on three new 160-vehicle hybrid-electric ferries at a steel cutting...
Ferry construction begins in Florida on Washington’s new hybrid-electric vessels
Top brass from Washington State Ferries gathered Wednesday at a shipyard in Panama City, Florida, for a maritime ceremony that has been all too rare lately for the agency. They celebrated the cutting of the first steel for a new boat, the first of three new hybrid-electric ferries. The state ferry system urgently needs new vessels to replace aging ferries that are past or very near retirement age. This is the first new ferryboat for the fleet to…
Ferry construction begins in Florida on Washington’s new hybrid-electric vessels - The Daily Chronicle
Top brass from Washington State Ferries gathered Wednesday at a shipyard in Panama City, Florida, for a maritime ceremony that has been all too rare lately for the agency. They celebrated the cutting of the first steel for a new boat, the first of three new hybrid-electric ferries. The state ferry system urgently needs new vessels to replace aging ferries that are past or very near retirement age. This is the first new ferryboat for the fleet to…
Ferry construction begins in Florida on WA’s new hybrid-electric vessels • Washington State Standard
Construction officially began in Florida on Wednesday on the first new Washington state ferry in more than a decade. When it’s completed, the hybrid-electric vessel is expected to serve the Mukilteo-Clinton route, seen here. (Photo by Tom Banse)Top brass from Washington State Ferries gathered Wednesday at a shipyard in Panama City, Florida, for a maritime ceremony that has been all too rare lately for the agency. They celebrated the cutting of t…
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