Up to three of Washington State Ferries' (WSF) Jumbo Mark II-class ferries will be converted to hybrid-electric power. The Washington State Department of Transportation is celebrating the major milestone on its journey to zero emissions by 2050 and awarding its first shipyard contract to Vigor for the conversion.
While converting WSF’s largest ferries to hybrid-electric power, Vigor will also be updating the aging propulsion system controls, which will extend the life expectancy of these vessels.
Following a competitive process among Washington shipbuilders, Vigor’s winning bid was just over $150 million. The second bid came in at approximately $166 million. The state’s estimate was approximately $120 million. The contract is for conversion of two vessels at approximately $100 million, with a fixed-price option to convert the third vessel in 2025.
WSF is the largest ferry system in the U.S. and the biggest contributor of greenhouse gas emissions among Washington state agencies, burning 19 million gallons of diesel fuel to support millions of passengers every year. This shift to hybrid-electric ferries comes in response to direction from Washington Gov. Jay Inslee and the Washington Legislature.
“This contract is a big step toward providing our ferry-served communities with better air quality and more sustainable service,” said Matt von Ruden, system electrification program administrator at WSDOT's Ferries Division. “We’re tackling the biggest emitters in our fleet. First, the Jumbo Mark IIs, which contribute 26 percent of our ferries’ greenhouse gas emissions. When our terminals are electrified in 2026, we expect emissions from these three vessels to drop by roughly 95 percent."
In addition to the hybrid-electric conversion, the contract includes planned replacement of the propulsion control systems. The three vessels are experiencing equipment failures and replacement parts are often unavailable. This effort will increase reliability and ensure the Jumbo Mark IIs are available for decades to come.
In September, Vigor will start work on Wenatchee at its Harbor Island shipyard in Seattle. The ferry is expected to reenter service on the Seattle/Bainbridge route next summer. Vigor will then begin converting Tacoma in 2024. WSF has the option to extend the contract to convert a third boat, Puyallup, in 2025.
“Vigor and our skilled employees are proud to be continuing our strong partnership with Washington State Ferries,” said Adam Beck, Vigor executive vice president of ship repair. “Our long history with WSF makes Vigor the best place to help propel our ferry system into a low-emission, sustainable future, which supports family-wage jobs all across Puget Sound. We look forward to getting to work and getting these ferries back in service for the thousands of Puget Sound residents who rely on them.”
WSF leading change in the maritime industry
Conversion of the state’s largest ferries to hybrid-electric power marks WSF’s first step toward electrification of the ferry system. This innovative initiative drastically reduces greenhouse gas emissions and prepares Washington for a changing climate. The program will:
- Retrofit six current diesel ferries to hybrid electric
- Build 16 new hybrid vessels
- Retire 13 diesel ferries
- Add charging power to 16 terminals
While WSF is one of the first and largest ferry systems in the U.S. to electrify ferries, ferry operators throughout northern Europe have converted more than 70 ferries to hybrid-electric power since 2015.
Putting investments to work
This is the largest conversion contract in WSF’s $3.98 billion electrification program. Over the next 17 years, WSF will spend $3.7 billion to electrify or build new ferries and $280 million on terminals.
So far, WSF has received $1.34 billion, with $1.03 billion from the 2022 Move Ahead Washington transportation package. This state funding builds on over $40 million in competitive grants, demonstrating a commitment at both the state and federal levels to address climate change by reducing transportation system emissions.
