b'MEMBER NEWSWETA and Wrtsil Enter Strategic Partnership for Fleet ElectrificationS anFranciscosWaterEmergen- directorofsalesforAMERregion,passengers each and two larger ferries cyTransportationAuthorityWrtsil Marine Power.capable of carrying at least 300 pas-(WETA), the operator of the Sansengers. Additionally, the scope of this Francisco Bay Ferry system, signed aAftercompletingtheconceptualphase will encompass the inclusion of strategicpartnershipagreementwithphase, WETA will move on to the ini- battery charging floats. The construc-Wrtsil to provide its fleet electrifica- tial construction phase of a multi-ves- tion of the first electric-powered vessel tion and systems integrator services forsel program. This phase will involveis slated to commence before the con-a project to build the first zero-emis- thebuildingofthreesmallerferriesclusion of 2023, with commercial op-sion high speed ferries in the U.S. Bothwith a capacity of approximately 150erations expected to launch in 2025.companies are PVA members.The project, and several others Wrt-sil will work on under this partner-ship, are a part of the agencys Rapid Electric Emission-Free Ferry Program, aphaseddecarbonizationofhigh-speed,high-capacityferryservicein the San Francisco Bay. Wrtsil states that its track record with hybrid and zeroemissionferryprojects,aswell as its expertise acting as an integrator forthedeliveryofhybridandfully electric propulsion solutions were key factors in the companys selection as a partner. Wrtsil will work within the PHOTO: SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA WATER EMERGENCY TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITYWETA project team to finalize vesselDEALER and charging system concepts. POWER CONSULTATION SUPPORTWere proud to operate the cleanestAvailable productExperts available to Here to support you portfolio ranging fromdetermine the best powerfor the lifetime of your high-speedferryfleetinthenation,300hp to 11,000hp. Moreand emissions solutions. engine from design to efficient power weightin the water.butazero-emissionfutureforourratio comparing to system is within reach, said WETAprevious models.Executive Director, Seamus Murphy. Wrtsilsexpertiseandexperience will be incredibly valuable given the complexity our ferry decarbonization program entails.ThisisamajorprojectwithintheREADY TO SUPPORT YOUR OPERATION WITHmaritime sectors journey towards de- OUR GLOBAL DEALER NETWORKcarbonization, and we are proud to be For more information, contact your local Cat dealer.a part of it, said Hanno Schoonman, 2023 Caterpillar. All Rights Reserved. CAT, CATERPILLAR, LETS DO THE WORK, their respective logos, Caterpillar Corporate Yellow, the Power Edge and Cat Modern Hex trade dress as well as corporate and product identity used herein, are trademarks of Caterpillar and may not be used without permission.51 DECEMBER 2023'