Washington State Secures $714.5 Million Ferry Deal with Eastern Shipbuilding

According to a recent proclamation from Washington Governor Bob Ferguson, the state has chosen Eastern Shipbuilding Group, based in florida, to construct three new hybrid-electric ferries. This contract is valued at an notable $714.5 million and marks the first competitive bidding for ferry construction in over 25 years for Washington State Ferries (WSF).

governor Ferguson expressed enthusiasm about this development, stating that it will help restore domestic ferry services to pre-pandemic levels much sooner than anticipated.He emphasized the importance of crew retention and highlighted that WSF is on track to introduce its first hybrid-electric vessel soon. After thorough discussions with legislative leaders, he concluded that Eastern Shipbuilding was the most suitable choice for this vital project while ensuring costs remain reasonable for taxpayers.

Eastern’s proposal was notably 6% lower than WSF’s engineering estimate and significantly less than its only competitor during a year-long selection process.In addition to shipyard expenses, WSF plans to allocate around $150 million towards various aspects such as equipment procurement, construction oversight, crew training, and unforeseen costs related to the first vessel. This brings the total investment for that vessel alone up to approximately $405 million; subsequent vessels are expected to cost around $360 million and $325 million due to efficiencies gained through experience.

Steve Nevey, Deputy transportation Secretary at WSF, shared his excitement about moving forward with new ferry constructions while also enhancing service across three routes as directed by Governor Ferguson. The ferry system has been gradually restoring operations following disruptions caused by the pandemic. Earlier this year in March, Governor Ferguson announced a postponement of hybrid-electric upgrades on two larger ferries until after the 2026 World Cup to prioritize returning full domestic service more quickly.

WSF stands out as America’s largest ferry system and underlines improvements in service as a key focus of Governor Ferguson’s administration. He has actively engaged with island communities affected by these changes and successfully secured $39 million from the state budget aimed at hiring additional crew members along with retention and training initiatives.

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