Washington State Ferries advances hybrid‑electric vessel program; first boat targeted for 2030

Washington State Ferries has moved its fleet modernization program into detailed design and expects the first new hybrid‑electric vessel to arrive around 2030, agency officials said at a public community meeting.

"We finalized a contract with Eastern Shipbuilders Group out of Panama City, Florida to construct" new vessels, David Sowers, director of WSF’s electrification program, told attendees, describing the next 12 months as a detailed‑design period followed by about three years of construction before a boat is delivered to Puget Sound. Sowers said the agency hopes to begin cutting steel in August and is working with Eastern on incentives to accelerate delivery.

Why it matters: WSF is the largest state agency emitter in Washington and officials say replacing older boats with hybrid‑electric vessels and shoreside charging will reduce greenhouse‑gas emissions and lower long‑term maintenance costs.

Shoreside charging and terminals: Sowers said WSF released a request for qualifications to local design‑build firms to bring power from Seattle City Light to docks so new vessels can plug in. The agency has prioritized four Seattle‑area terminals for early electrification, with a design‑build approach that could place some slips into service as early as 2029 and others by 2030. "Once the vessels can plug into the terminals, it really makes the whole system work efficiently and reduces our greenhouse gas immensely," Sowers said.

Funding and schedule context: Jenna Forte, WSF’s director of external relations, said the governor’s $1 billion vessel construction proposal did not pass during the short 2026 session, but the legislature retained funding for the vessel construction program and fully funded three terminal‑electrification projects. She also described new supplemental appropriations supporting maintenance and preservation programs, and a $500,000 feasibility study to examine state‑owned dry‑dock options with recommendations due to the legislature by 2027‑06‑30.

Safety and certification: On vessel safety and international standards, panelists discussed SOLAS (Safety of Life at Sea) certification. Sowers said the new vessels being designed in Florida will not be SOLAS‑compatible and that WSF is considering certification needs depending on future international service. Forrest (panelist) and Sowers noted SOLAS standards apply primarily to long‑distance ocean voyages and that waivers or additional equipment have been part of past compliance efforts.

Battery safety: On the risk of lithium‑battery fires, Sowers and Forrest said regulatory oversight, robust battery design, fire‑suppression systems, smoke sensors and compartment cameras are part of plans to detect and contain thermal runaway. "The batteries that we're using are built and tested to these standards," Forrest said, describing industry tests that force cells into thermal runaway to validate containment and cooling strategies.

What’s next: WSF expects to finish detailed design with Eastern Shipbuilders over the next year, proceed to construction, continue terminal electrification design and move forward with RFQ and design‑build procurements for the shore‑power work.