By
Alex Smith |
Florida-based Eastern Shipbuilding Group is to construct Washington State Ferries’ three new 160-vehicle hybrid-electric ferries after Washington Governor Bob Ferguson selected its $714.5 million bid.
The contract has been agreed after a year-long process in which two shipyards submitted bids – Eastern Shipbuilding Group and Washington-based Nichols Brothers Boat Builders. Eastern’s bid was the lower of the two, as well as being 6 per cent lower than estimates by Washington State Ferries’ engineers. The construction will mark the first time Washington State Ferries has built ships outside of Washington in 50 years.
“We’re restoring domestic service to pre-pandemic levels years ahead of schedule, improving crew retention, and soon will bring our first hybrid-electric vessel into service,” said Governor Ferguson. “After careful consideration and conversations with legislative leaders, I believe Eastern is the best option to build these critically important vessels at a fair cost to our taxpayers.”
An additional expenditure of $150 million is allocated for the first vessel for owner-furnished equipment, construction management, crew training and risk contingencies. This will bring the cost of the first vessel to approximately $405 million, the second to $360 million and the third to $325 million, as contingency risk decreases with each construction.
The confirmation of the three vessels comes as the ferry operator makes efforts to expand its services. In June, a second vessel was added to Wshington State Ferries’ route from Seattle to the city of Bremerton for the first time in three years, while a third vessel was added to the Triangle Route connecting West Seattle, Vashon Island and Southworth, also for the first time in three years. The operator will also add a second vessel between Port Townsend and Coupeville for seasonal service for the first time in five years, beginning from 4 July.
Governor Ferguson also delayed the hybrid-electric conversion of two of Washington State Ferries largest ferries in March until after the 2026 Fifa World Cup. As a result, Washington State Ferries will return to full domestic service in late July following the return of Wenatchee from its own conversion to hybrid-electric propulsion.
“As we follow Governor Ferguson’s direction to focus on service, it’s exciting, as we restore additional vessels on three routes, to also move forward with constructing new ferries,” said Steve Nevey, deputy transportation secretary for Washington State Ferries.