Three shipbuilders are interested in building five hybrid-electric 160-car ferries for WSF.
- Nichols Brothers Boat Builders in Freeland, Washington
- Eastern Shipbuilding Group in Panama City, Florida
- Philly Shipyard in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Each have sent pre-qualification packages after WSF invited shipbuilders across the country to bid.
In 2023, the Legislature passed a law allowing WSF to seek shipbuilders nationwide and to build vessels at one or two shipyards at the same time. WSF expects the first two boats in 2028, two more in 2029 and the last one in 2030.
These new ferries are expected to support the Mukilteo/Clinton and Seattle/Bremerton routes.
Source: WSF Weekly Update
