Page 47: of Maritime Reporter Magazine (November 2026)

EASTERN SHIPBUILDING GROUP "When that came out, we just looked at it and said, we're the shipyard to build it." – Joey D'Isernia, CEO, Eastern Shipbuilding Group, on the contract to build a trip of hybrid electric ferries for

Washington State Ferries (WSF).

A Diversi? ed Orderbook A Big Win: Washington State Ferries

Eastern's current construction program re? ects the com- One of Eastern's most important recent contracts is its pany's broad capabilities across commercial and govern- selection to build three hybrid electric ferries for Washing- ment markets. At Allanton, Eastern is building four 84-foot ton State Ferries (WSF).

harbor tugs for Saltchuk. The ? rst two are approaching de- The approximately 400-foot vessels represent a major livery, with the remaining vessels expected to follow within addition to Eastern's commercial orderbook and build on months. The yard is also building a 6,500-cubic-yard hop- its experience constructing large passenger ferries, includ- per dredge for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, with ing the three Staten Island ferries delivered previously.

launch anticipated in spring 2027 and delivery targeted The initial Washington contract was valued at approxi- toward the end of that year. mately $714 million for two vessels. Eastern subsequently

Following it through production is a 10,000-cubic-yard received the option award for a third ferry, extending the hopper dredge for The Dutra Group, representing a sub- program's importance to the yard.

stantial investment in ? eet renewal for the West Coast For D'Isernia, the opportunity was signi? cant because dredging contractor. Both dredges involve collaboration Washington had historically restricted ferry construction with Dutch dredging specialist Royal IHC. to shipyards within the state. Legislative changes opened

At Port St. Joe, Eastern is completing two 360-foot mul- the competition to other American builders. "When that tipurpose subsea construction vessels for Hornbeck Off- thing came out, we just looked at it and said, we're the shore Services. Originally started at another shipyard, the shipyard to build it," he said. The ferries feature hybrid projects were interrupted when that builder failed, leaving electric propulsion and are designed to complete their op- the vessels in litigation for approximately a decade. erating missions entirely on battery power.

Taking over the projects required Eastern to assess par- D'Isernia believes the project is particularly well-suited tially completed construction, identify de? ciencies, replace to Eastern's engineering capabilities. The company cur- unusable materials and develop a path to completion. rently employs approximately 70 to 80 engineers, and elec-

Eastern has developed experience in recovering troubled trical engineering is among its strongest disciplines.

shipbuilding projects, a capability that D'Isernia believes "Our electrical design team is top-notch, and this par- distinguishes the company. The mix of tugs, dredges, off- ticular vessel with the hybrid electric design was just a great shore vessels, ferries and naval construction also re? ects opportunity for us to showcase those capabilities," he said.

a deliberate strategy of diversi? cation. "There's no ideal D'Isernia also credited Washington State Ferries for in- mix," D'Isernia said of balancing commercial and govern- vesting heavily in design development before construction, ment work. "We want to take on the right risks. We want particularly through its work with ABB.

to match our expertise and our core competencies to the That preparation allowed Eastern to focus on optimiz- right projects." ing equipment arrangements, accessibility, maintainability

That approach provides ? exibility as market conditions and production ef? ciency rather than resolving fundamen- and federal procurement priorities change. tal engineering questions after steel cutting.

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