In Florida, Eastern Shipbuilding Group has received a notice to proceed from Washington State Ferries to construct two hybrid-electric vessels, with an option for a third. The deal follows the ferry system’s first competitive bid in over 25 years and marks a shift toward zero-emission service in the Pacific Northwest.
Each 409-foot vessel will carry up to 1,500 passengers and 160 vehicles at 17 knots, using shoreside charging and onboard battery storage to reduce diesel reliance. The design is compatible with WSF’s existing dock infrastructure.
Washington State Ferries, the largest system of its kind in the United States, moves millions annually through Puget Sound. The hybrid vessels are part of the agency’s electrification program, which aims to cut emissions while maintaining daily service across a network defined by geographic constraint and high ridership.
For Eastern, the contract adds to a resume that includes the Staten Island Ferries and the Long Island, delivered in 2024. Based in Panama City, Florida, the yard has delivered over 350 vessels since its founding and reports a 99 percent on-time delivery rate over the past two decades.
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Category: Sustainable Marine Fuels
