Page 36: of Marine News Magazine (September 2025)

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Feature

Passenger Ferries tem communication wires were creating intermittent instability costs of supervision, and change orders were considered, which caused the drive motors to go of? ine.” ) and because the powertrains would be purchased separately.

Some observers expressed concerns that possible tariffs on

WSF Aims for Emission-Free Ferry Fleet imported steel might lead to higher costs. There was some

According to WSF, it “aspires to a reliable and emission- controversy surrounding the choice of yard; Washington free ferry ? eet by 2050. To get there, we will expand the State has multiple yards (including Nichols Brothers) with ? eet by converting six existing vessels to hybrid-electric many local business and government interests unhappy power, building 16 new hybrid-electric vessels and adding about the decision to build the boats “out of state”. Elec- shore charging to 16 terminals.” As part of this plan, ex- tri? cation also requires shore-side infrastructure and dock- plained further that: “On July 1, 2025, Gov. Bob Ferguson side charging installations. The state government in Wash- announced that Eastern Shipbuilding Group (ESG) was ington explained, in a release that: “In collaboration with awarded a contract to build three new hybrid-electric 160- regional utilities, WSF is updating 16 terminals to charge auto ferries. We received bids from two shipyards: Eastern hybrid-electric ferries. We established memorandums of

Shipbuilding Group (ESG) of Panama City, Florida and understanding with Seattle City Light and Puget Sound

Nichols Brothers Boat Builders of Freeland, Washington. Energy to add power to the ? rst ? ve terminals: Bainbridge

ESG won with a bid of $714.5 million for the three ves- Island, Seattle, Clinton, Bremerton, and Kingston. Adding sels. Both bids were close to the state engineer’s estimate of power involves routing new dedicated power lines and in- $514 million for two vessels.” In an August 2025 release stalling switchgear and a vessel charging system. Construc- announcing a Notice to Proceed from WSF to build two tion is currently anticipated to start in 2026 with Seattle ferries, with an option for a third, ESG (also having con- and expected to wrap up in 2029.” siderable commercial building expertise) said, “The state- of-the-art hybrid/electric vessels have a length overall of Electri? cation Projects Across the Country 409.5 ft. with an 83.2-ft. beam and a hull depth of 24.5 In Louisiana, electri? cation is also on the way. ft.. They will be certi? ed to transport 160 standard-sized A 1964-built vehicle/passenger ferry, CAMERON NO passenger vehicles and 1,500 passengers. With a draft of II, which had been crossing the Calcasieu Ship Channel 16.5 ft., the ferries will achieve a speed of 17 knots at full in Cameron Parish, Louisiana, until being taken out of ser- load and are designed to interface with all existing WSF vice since early 2025, will be replaced by two new boats dock facilities.” under construction at Thoma Sea’s yard in Lockport, La.

The vessels, with ? rst set for a 2029 delivery, would also with deliveries expected in late 2025/early 2026. Accord- have a capacity for 1,500 passengers. Local reports suggest- ing to the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT), ed that the actual cost of the vessels would be higher once “The project scope includes the replacement of the (de-

Design for new

Cameron Ferry.

Cameron Ferry under construction.

Elliott Bay Design Group Louisiana State DOT 36 | MN September 2025