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Washington State Ferries says system is "in recovery" and plans five hybrid‑electric ferries for 2028–2030
Summary
WSF Assistant Secretary Steve Nevi told a public briefing that the ferry system is recovering from a crewing crisis and outlined procurement of five hybrid‑electric ferries, with two expected in 2028, two in 2029 and one in 2030; Matt von Bridal said electrification could cut greenhouse gas emissions by about 76% and detailed battery safety precautions.
Steve Nevi, Washington State Ferries' assistant secretary, opened the briefing by saying the system is “in recovery” after a year of high crewing cancellations and framed three priorities—service excellence, improved communication and empowered people. "A year ago we were in crisis," Nevi said, adding that a recent seven‑day stretch without crew‑related cancellations was an important milestone for the agency.
WSF said it has published Volumes 1 and 2 of the invitation for bid to invite shipbuilders to qualify to build five new hybrid‑electric ferries. Agency officials said the procurement aims to deliver two vessels in 2028, two in 2029 and a final ferry in 2030, and that hybrid‑electric vessels are the fastest path to new ferry capacity because designs, funding and mandates for diesel would require additional time and new legislative direction.
"Hybrid electric is the quickest path to getting new ferries," Nevi said in response to questions about diesel alternatives. Matt von Bridal, who leads the system electrification program, said the electrification roadmap addresses technology, lifecycle sourcing and recycling, and estimates a systemwide greenhouse‑gas reduction of roughly 76% compared with continuing to burn diesel fuel. "We burn over 18,000,000 gallons of diesel a year," von Bridal said, and the hybrid plan includes conversion of existing jumbo Mark II vessels and construction of the five new hybrid‑electric ferries.
Von Bridal also described safety systems for battery installations, including cell‑level containment to prevent propagation, water‑cooling, continuous monitoring, venting and dedicated fire‑suppression systems. He said batteries intended for the vessels must be approved by the U.S. Coast Guard and type‑approved by vessel classification societies.
WSF officials discussed costs and procurement. Matt von Bridal said the agency’s cost‑risk analysis places the current expected cost range between about $230,000,000 and $275,000,000 per new vessel, but he emphasized that final prices will depend on the market and the competitive procurement. Officials also noted that funding and legislative direction shaped the decision to pursue hybrid‑electric vessels rather than restarting a diesel‑design process.
The agency said the new hybrid‑electric ferries will initially be assigned to central‑sound routes (Clinton‑Mukilteo and Seattle‑Bremerton) where terminal configuration, sailing distances and nearby utilities make electrification the most practical near‑term fit; vessels freed from those routes will then be available to improve reliability on other routes.
Next steps: WSF will release additional bid volumes later this year and proceed through procurement; agency leaders said the market will ultimately set final costs and that the agency will continue community engagement on route assignments and delivery timing.
