Page 65: of Marine News Magazine (November 2020)

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VESSELS

Partners Developing Zero- emissions Fast Foil Ferry

Glosten

A group of public and private partners in Washington partners Skagit County and EDASC (Economic Develop- have come together to accelerate the design of a fast foil ment Alliance of Skagit County) share the maritime focus ferry to provide zero-emissions, high-speed passenger ferry and joint goals of lower emissions, less road congestion service in the Evergreen State. and economic development opportunities.

Participants in the Joint Innovation Project include The project aims to deliver not only the design for three Washington ports that have joined forces to support a zero-emission, high-speed passenger ferry for opera- the effort: Port of Anacortes, Port of Bellingham and Port tion in the Puget Sound, but also the business model, of Skagit. The vessel is under design by Glosten and Bieker which will include studies of route viability, shoreside

Boats. Kitsap Transit has identi? ed a potential route for infrastructure requirements, permitting and regulatory its ferry operations and sponsored the team, which will requirements, and economic and environmental impacts. receive funding from the U.S. Department of Transporta- The foil ferry will include options for fully electric pro- tion’s Federal Transit Administration. pulsion or diesel-electric propulsion for extended range.

Leading this collaborative joint innovation project effort The diesel-electric option could be two to three times is Washington Maritime Blue, a strategic alliance formed more fuel ef? cient than conventional fast ferries and save to foster maritime innovation and sustainability in support 1,500 tons of carbon-dioxide annually. The project also of an inclusive blue economy, and DNV GL, a technical will explore required infrastructure, environmental ben- assurance ? rm providing independent advisory services e? ts and impacts, regulatory and permitting needs and to the maritime and energy industries. Additional project possible routes and operators.

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