(SEATTLE) — Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson has selected the $714.5 million bid from Florida-based Eastern Shipbuilding Group to build three new 160-vehicle hybrid-electric ferries. Washington State Ferries (WSF) will move forward with the contracting process, following the first competitive bid for ferry construction in more than 25 years.
“We’re restoring domestic service to pre-pandemic levels years ahead of schedule, improving crew retention, and soon will bring our first hybrid-electric vessel into service,” Ferguson said. “After careful consideration and conversations with legislative leaders, I believe Eastern is the best option to build these critically important vessels at a fair cost to our taxpayers.”
“As we follow Gov. Ferguson’s direction to focus on service, it’s exciting, as we restore additional vessels on three routes, to also move forward with constructing new ferries,” said Steve Nevey, deputy transportation secretary for WSF.
The contract award comes after a comprehensive yearlong process of advertising, pre-qualifying shipyards, and answering shipyard requests for clarification. Two shipyards submitted bids. Eastern’s bid was 6 percent lower than WSF’s own engineer’s estimate, and significantly lower than the other bidder.
The shipyard bid is only part of the newbuild process. There is an additional approximately $150 million for the first vessel for owner-furnished equipment, construction management, WSF crew training, and risk contingencies. This brings the cost of the first vessel to approximately $405 million, the second to $360 million, and the third to $325 million, as contingency risk decreases with lessons learned from each previous construction.
In March, Ferguson announced his plan to delay the hybrid-electric conversion of two of the state’s largest ferries until after the 2026 World Cup. As a result, WSF expects to return to full domestic service this summer, for the first time since 2019. One hybrid-electric conversion has been completed, on the ferry Wenatchee, which is expected to return to service later this month.
In June, a second vessel was added to the Bremerton route for the first time in three years, cutting wait times by an hour. A third vessel was added to the Triangle Route connecting West Seattle, Vashon Island and Southworth, also for the first time in three years. Beginning July 4, WSF will add a second vessel between Port Townsend and Coupeville for seasonal service for the first time in five years.
Before taking office, Ferguson met with residents of Whidbey Island to discuss the challenges they face because of reduced ferry service. Riding a ferry to and from that meeting, Ferguson had the opportunity to visit a wheelhouse and engine room, hearing directly from the crew about their work.
The budget signed by Ferguson invests more than $39 million for crew hiring, retention and training. WSF’s apprenticeship program has helped turn the tide on staffing: WSF is now hiring enough skilled crew to replace those retiring.
– Office of Gov. Bob Ferguson
