Eastern Shipbuilding Wins Contract to Build Hybrid-Electric Ferries for WSF

Washington State Ferries is ordering its first new vessels in 25-years as it works to rebuild service and modernize (WSF file photo)

As part of our Career Connect Washington Maritime Sector ongoing work, we actively track, document, and inform about emerging technologies and trends. A milestone has been achieved in plans to modernize and restore service for Washington State Ferries (WSF) with Florida-based Eastern Shipbuilding being awarded a contract to build three passenger RoRo ferries. The state says the process was its first competitive bid for ferry construction in more than 25 years, and will further contribute to the efforts to bring service back to pre-pandemic levels.

Washington Governor Bob Ferguson announced that after a year-long competitive bidding process that attracted interest from two shipyards, Eastern Shipbuilding has been selected to construct the three new 160-vehicle hybrid-electric ferries. The company won the contract after presenting the lowest bid, $714.5 million, which was six percent lower than WSF’s estimate, and significantly lower compared to its competitor, Washington-based Nichols Brothers Boat Builders.

Go to this link to read the full article published by The Maritime Executive https://maritime-executive.com/article/eastern-shipbuilding-wins-contract-to-build-hybrid-electric-ferries-for-wsf