b'MEMBER NEWSThree Shipyards Interested in BuildingNew WSF Hybrid-Electric VesselsO n Oct. 3, Washington StateFerries(WSF)announcedthenextstepontheirelectrifica-tion journey with three shipbuildersinterestedinbuildingthefirstoffivehybrid-electricferriesfortheorganiza-tion.InterestedshipyardsincludePVAassociate members Nichols BrothersBoatBuildersofFreeland,Wash.,andEasternShipbuildingGroupofPana-maCity,Fla.,aswellasathirdshipyardlocatedinPhiladelphia,Pa.In May of this year, WSF invitedshipyardsacrossthenationtosubmit will design a complete propulsion The ferries are part of WSFs $3.98pre-qualificationpackages.Abillpassed system, oversee the timely delivery billion Ferry System Electrificationin2023allowedout-of-stateshipyards ofequipment,andofferexpertisein programwhichhasagoalofanemis-tosubmitbidsandallowsWSFtoissue equipment installation and commis- sion-free ferry fleet by 2050. To getuptotwocontractsatonce. sioning.ABBwillalsoplayacritical there, WSF will convert six existingWSFprojectsthatthefivenewferries role in training WSFs crews on the vesselstohybrid-electricpower,buildwill save approximately 240 million operation and maintenance of these 16newhybrid-electricvessels,andaddgallons of diesel over their 60-year newsystems. shorechargingto16terminals.lifespan. Emissions are expected tobereducedfromthecurrent180,000metrictonsto45,000metrictonsan-nuallysystemwide.ThenextstepwillbeforWSFtovisitthe three shipyards while finishingthedesignforthenewvessels.Laterthis year, qualified builders will beasked to submit bids. The first two160-vehicleferriescouldbedeliveredin 2028, followed by two more inRENDERING: ELLIOTT BAY DESIGN GROUP2029,andthefinalshipdeliveredin2030.ThesenewferriesareexpectedtosupporttheMukilteo/ClintonandSeattle/Bremertonroutes.InJuly,WSFannouncedapartnershipwithfellowPVAmemberABB.They45 OCTOBER 2024'