Page 39: of Marine News Magazine (February 2024)

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Vessels

Next WSF Vessels Could Be Built

Outside of Washington State

By Eric Haun

The next newbuilds for Washington State Ferries (WSF) is required to award a credit of 13% of the bid price for bid could be built by a shipyard outside of Washington as the proposals for vessels constructed in the state of Washington.

state seeks to accelerate its ferry electri? cation program. The WSF ferry system, the largest in the country, is be-

The Washington State Department of Transportation’s ing converted to hybrid-electric power by 2040 following (WSDOT) WSF in early December issued a request for in- mandates from the Washington legislature and governor. formation to the shipbuilding industry across the country WSDOT said its transition to a hybrid-electric ferry ? eet as part of its effort to contract for ? ve new hybrid-electric aims to slash emissions as well as operations and mainte-

Olympic-class ferries. Responses were due in January and nance costs while boosting ? eet resiliency.

will provide critical information for the Invitation for Bid The nearly $4 billion WSF electri? cation plan calls for in spring 2024, the agency said. the delivery of 16 new hybrid electric vessels by 2040.

Washington state law previously required all WSF new- Washington shipbuilder Vigor was originally tapped in 2019 builds to be constructed by shipyards within the state, but to design and build up to ? ve 1,500-passenger, 144-vehicle hy- new legislation passed earlier this year allows WSDOT to brid electric Olympic-class ferries, but WSDOT opted in 2022 solicit bids nationwide, clearing the agency to potentially to relaunch the competitive bid process following disagree- contract with multiple shipyards—either inside or outside ments with the shipyard over price and other contract terms.

Washington state—to accelerate delivery after the program In addition to the newbuild program, shore charging will fell behind schedule. WSDOT is now aiming to have the be added to 16 WSF terminals and six existing WSF vessels ? rst two vessels delivered by spring 2028. are being converted to hybrid-electric power. Earlier this

The contract or contracts must be for a minimum of two year, Vigor was awarded a contract to convert up to three of vessels, with options for up to ? ve vessels in total. WSDOT WSF’s Jumbo Mark II class ferries to hybrid-electric power.