Flagship Cruises says $15.27M CARB grant will fund two battery-electric passenger ferries serving San Diego waterfront

Representatives of Flagship Cruises and Events told the Imperial Beach City Council on Aug. 20 that the company and partners have won a state grant to build two battery-electric passenger ferries for San Diego’s waterfront. Corso Worsham, public relations and communications manager for Flagship, said the project is being supported by a $15,270,000 grant from the California Air Resources Board (CARB) under the Sustainable Heavy-Duty Technologies program, and that Flagship will provide a $5,500,000 match, creating a total projected investment of roughly $21,000,000. He described the ferries as California’s first newly built battery-electric passenger vessels, each able to carry up to about 275 passengers, fully ADA accessible, and configured for bikes and strollers. Worsham said the award was coordinated with the San Diego County Air Pollution Control District and other regional partners, and that construction is expected to begin in late 2025 with the first electric ferry launching in 2026. He framed the project as advancing clean-air goals and creating local maritime workforce opportunities. No formal council action was required or taken on the announcement; Flagship’s representatives asked for and received the council’s thanks and said they look forward to working with Port and regional partners as the procurement and permitting work proceeds.