Name of the Project
Washington State Ferry fleet.

Location
Washington, in the US.

Project Owner/s
Washington State Ferries (WSF), a division of the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDoT).

Project Description
The WSF operates the largest ferry system in the US. The project aims to set the ferry system on course for zero-emission operations.

The project involves the construction of five new ‘Olympic-class’ ferries, which will have the capacity to carry 144 cars and 1 500 passengers each.

The project will herald a new era for WSDoT in the shift towards technologies, which allow for significant reductions in greenhouse-gas emissions and fuel use.

The first vessel in the series will be the first new-built-in Washington State Ferry’s fleet to feature hybrid-electric propulsion and a high-capacity energy storage system.

The new vessels will be able to fully operate on battery power and will have the capability to revert to hybrid mode, if required.

The plan is to replace 13 existing diesel ferries with hybrid-electric new builds and to convert six other ferries to plug-in hybrids, with recharging capacity installed at many ferry terminals.

All hybrid vessels will be capable of charging at the terminal, and some of the vessels will be capable of operating in fully electric mode on shorter routes. With the addition of newer-built, clean energy ferries to the fleet, fuel consumption is projected to decrease from 72-million-litres in 2018 to 36-million litres by 2040.

Potential Job Creation
Each ferry build is expected to create up to 560 direct jobs and a total of 1 300 direct, indirect and induced jobs.

Capital Expenditure
The cost of each ferry is estimated at $75-million.

Planned Start/End Date
The vessels are scheduled to be delivered in 2024.

Latest Developments
ABB has been selected by Vigor Fab as the hybrid-electric propulsion and energy storage system provider for the newest additions to the Washington State Ferry fleet

Key Contracts and Suppliers
ABB (hybrid-electric propulsion and energy storage system provider).

Contact Details for Project Information
WSDoT, tel +1206515 3400 or email wsfinfo@wsdot.wa.gov.