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Eastern Shipbuilding Group has started construction on Washington State Ferries' new generation of hybrid-electric ferries, with Washington state confirming it will exercise its option for a third vessel under the $714.5 million shipbuilding program.
Officials from Eastern Shipbuilding Group (ESG) and Washington State Ferries (WSF) marked the milestone with a steel-cutting ceremony at the shipbuilder's facilities in Panama City, Florida.
David Sowers, WSF's Program Administrator for System Electrification, used the event to announce that the state is moving ahead with the third 160-vehicle ferry, expanding what had initially been a firm two-vessel order with an option for a third.
"This is the first time in a decade that Washington state is building ferries," Sowers said. "We restored our ferry system to full, domestic service. Now, we are taking a significant step toward rebuilding our fleet."
Under the construction schedule, Eastern is expected to deliver the first ferry in 2030, followed by the second in 2031 and third in 2032.
The vessels will form an important part of Washington's effort to replace its aging ferry fleet while reducing emissions through battery-electric propulsion and shoreside charging.
"Eastern Shipbuilding Group is proud to begin construction on these vessels and to partner with Washington State Ferries on one of the most important ferry modernization programs in the country," said Joey D'Isernia, CEO of Eastern Shipbuilding Group. "Our team is committed to delivering safe, reliable, high-quality ferries that will serve Washington communities for decades."
Washington Governor Bob Ferguson selected Florida-based Eastern for the program in July 2025 following the state's first competitive ferry construction bid in more than 25 years. Eastern received its Notice to Proceed the following month for two vessels with an option for the third.
Eastern's bid came in 6% below WSF's engineer's estimate and significantly below the only competing bid.
The new ferries will measure approximately 409 feet, 6 inches long with an 83-foot, 2-inch beam and will be capable of carrying 160 standard passenger vehicles and up to 1,500 passengers. Designed for a service speed of 17 knots at full load, the vessels will also be compatible with WSF's existing terminals.
The hybrid-electric design incorporates battery storage and shoreside charging intended to reduce reliance on diesel power as WSF works to electrify the nation's largest ferry system.
"After years of design and procurement, today's steel cutting marks an exciting moment where all of the planning becomes visible progress," said Steve Nevey, Washington State Deputy Secretary of Transportation for WSF. "These new hybrid-electric ferries will help us restore the reliability and resilience our customers depend on while building a cleaner, more modern fleet for the future."
The newbuild program comes as WSF continues a broader effort to stabilize and modernize a fleet that has struggled with vessel availability in recent years.
Washington has also been pursuing hybrid-electric conversions of existing ferries. The Wenatchee became the first of the system's Jumbo Mark II ferries to undergo the conversion, although the state last year opted to delay conversions of two additional large ferries until after the 2026 FIFA World Cup in an effort to keep more vessels available for service.
The three Eastern-built ferries will provide WSF with new capacity beginning at the end of the decade, with deliveries scheduled in consecutive years through 2032.
