SEATTLE — Washington State Ferries (WSF) has opened the bidding process to shipbuilders for five new hybrid electric ferries, the first of which could be delivered by 2028.
The process will allow multiple builders to compete for contracts, meaning two shipbuilders could work on ferries concurrently. The agency has also gotten permission to extend the search nationwide, instead of just searching within the state of Washington.
The ferry system has been struggling to provide full service in recent years, due in part to the age of the agency's vessels, several of which are out of commission and undergoing repairs. WSF isn't planning to restore full service to all ferry lines until 2028. The new boats will support the Mukilteo/Clinton and the Seattle/Bremerton routes.
The new ferries will carry 160 vehicles and 1,500 passengers each.
The hybrid electric ferries will also bring the agency closer to its goal of cutting emissions. The diesel ferries, which WSF currently uses, burn nearly 19 million gallons of fuel each year. The new models will save around 240 million gallons of diesel fuel over their 60-year lifespan, according to a release.
The agency also hit back at claims that building new diesel vessels would be a quicker way to bolster the state's ferry system, saying the design process and securing the legislative go-ahead would result in a longer timeline for new boats than continuing with the hybrid electric plan, which has been in the works since 2018.
Shipyards must pass a "rigorous pre-qualification process" before being allowed to submit bids. WSF will choose one or two shipyards to move forward with. Those shipyards will then have one year to finalize planning and two years for construction of the first vessel.