Washington State Ferries Vessels & Terminals - Vessel improvements

FY2024

WSF vessel improvements include hybrid-electric conversions

Washington State Ferries is converting three Jumbo Mark II vessels from diesel to hybrid electric—a project that will establish WSF as a leader in sustainable marine transportation. These ferries serve the most densely populated urban areas in the central Puget Sound and produce 26% of the fleet's annual greenhouse gas emissions. By replacing two of the four diesel generators with lithium-ion energy storage systems, each conversion will reduce emissions by nearly 50,000 metric tons a year with the first vessel scheduled to sail in summer 2025. Once all three vessels are converted, this program is expected to save nearly five million gallons of fuel each year, with corresponding reductions in CO2, NOx, and associated emission particulates. Funding to continually support the upgrade and conversions of the M/V Tacoma and M/V Puyallup is being considered during the 2025-2027 budget cycle.

Washington State Ferries will also construct five new hybrid-electric ferries and is expected to select a vendor by June 2025. Funding ($1.3 billion) has been allocated for up to five new vessels with delivery of the first vessel expected in early 2029 and the fifth vessel in 2033. Once all five hybrid-electric vessels are delivered, WSF projects a savings of 300 million gallons of diesel fuel over 60 years, and $55 million in life-cycle cost savings.

Given the long-term need for the ferry system to replace an additional 11 vessels, WSF will develop a pre-design study of the next clean-fueled vessel procurement process in the 2025-27 biennium.

WSF replaces maintenance management system for vessels and terminals

WSF launched its new Enterprise Asset Management system on January 10, 2024, with additional functionality to follow. The legislature initially provided $3.7 million to fund a new maintenance management system (for vessels and terminals) to replace the outdated system, with an additional $1.1 million required because of project implementation delays.

The implementation of EAM is currently in a stabilization phase. During this phase, additional training is planned for the end users, all process flows are reviewed, and any deficiencies in system programming are addressed. Asset inventories are currently being added to the EAM along with reviewing and updating maintenance schedules.

FY2023

WSF vessel improvements include hybrid-electric conversions

The most significant improvement planned in the 2023-2025 biennium is the hybrid-electric conversion of the Jumbo Mark II class vessels.

In conjunction with the planned propulsion control system replacement as a preservation project, the M/V Wenatchee is undergoing an extensive conversion to hybrid-electric propulsion. Funded primarily through a $35 million grant from the Washington State Department of Ecology (Washington's allocation of federal Volkswagen settlement mitigation trust funds), this project will establish WSF as a leader in sustainable marine transportation. The project replaces two of the four diesel generators with two lithium-ion energy storage banks. Design work was completed and materials were procured during the 2019- 2023 biennia and construction is scheduled for September 2023-October 2024.

The M/V Wenatchee will initially operate in hybrid-electric mode with approximately a 25% reduction in fuel consumption. Following terminal electrification, the vessel will operate in full battery mode, with a fuel consumption savings of approximately 95%. With additional funding provided in the 2022 Move Ahead Washington package, the conversion of the M/V Tacoma is also funded and funding for the M/V Puyallup is being considered in the 2024 supplemental budget; WSF issued an invitation for bid on this work as a two-vessel contract with a fixed price option for the third vessel. The M/V Tacoma is scheduled to be completed December 2024-September 2025, and M/V Puyallup is scheduled to be completed September 2025-June 2026 (if awarded). Once all three vessels are converted, this program is expected to save nearly five million gallons of fuel each year, with corresponding reductions in CO2, NOx and particulates. The preliminary life-cycle cost analysis projects a net savings of $60 million over the remaining 40-year service life of these vessels.

New hybrid-electric propulsion vessels currently in the works

The legislature authorized the extension of the Olympic class new construction program, including an update of the design to include hybrid-electric propulsion, and construction of up to five vessels. With the addition of $836.7 million from the 2022 Move Ahead Washington package, a total of $1.055 billion is available for vessel construction.

WSF will invite bids for the construction of up to five new hybrid-electric ferries in early 2024 and award up to two contracts. The first vessel is expected to be delivered in 2028.

Once all five hybrid-electric propulsion vessels are delivered, WSF projects a savings of 300 million gallons of diesel fuel over 60 years, and $55 million in life-cycle cost savings.

WSF replaces Maintenance Management System for vessels and terminals

WSF launched its new Enterprise Asset Management system on January 10, 2024, with additional functionality to follow. The legislature initially provided $3.7 million to fund a new maintenance management system (for vessels and terminals) to replace the outdated system, with an additional $1.1 million required due to project implementation delays.

The new system will support critical asset management functions for vessels and terminals, including procurement, inventory management, maintenance planning and execution, and history. It will also have Life-Cycle Cost Model functionality to project preservation needs.

WSF conducted a needs analysis in the 2019-2021 biennium and moved forward to procure and implement an enterprise asset management system. The project officially kicked off in early October 2021, although there was significant preparation in the months prior. WSF is using a top-rated, highly effective cloud-based software to manage the agency's assets and equipment.

FY2022

WSF vessel improvements continue to focus on hybrid-electric conversions

WSF is continuing to pursue hybrid-electric conversion of the Jumbo Mark II class vessels in the 2021-2023 biennium.

Along with a planned propulsion control system replacement preservation project, the M/V Wenatchee will undergo an extensive conversion to hybrid-electric propulsion. Funded primarily through a $35 million grant from Washington State Department of Ecology (Washington's allocation of federal Volkswagen settlement mitigation trust funds), this project will establish WSF as a leader in sustainable marine transportation. The project replaces two of the four diesel generators with two lithium-ion energy storage banks. Design work was completed, and materials were procured during the 2019-2021 biennium and construction is scheduled for September 2023-June 2024.

The M/V Wenatchee will initially operate in hybrid-electric mode with approximately a 25% reduction in fuel consumption. Once terminal electrification is complete, the vessel will operate in full battery mode, with a fuel consumption savings of approximately 95%. With additional funding provided in the 2022 Move Ahead Washington package, the conversions of M/V Tacoma and M/V Puyallup are also funded, so WSF intends to bid this work as a three-vessel contract. M/V Tacoma is scheduled to be completed between September 2024-June 2025, and M/V Puyallup is scheduled to be completed September 2025-June 2026. Once all three vessels are converted, this program is expected to save nearly five million gallons of fuel each year, with corresponding reductions in CO2, NOx and particulates. The preliminary lifecycle cost analysis projects a net savings of $60 million over the remaining 40-year service life of these vessels.

New hybrid-electric propulsion vessels in the works

The legislature authorized the extension of the Olympic class new construction program, including an update of the design to include hybrid-electric propulsion, and construction of up to five vessels. With the addition of $836.7 million from the 2022 Move Ahead Washington package, a total of $1.055 billion is available.

While the contractor completed the design update for the vessels to incorporate hybrid-electric propulsion, WSF and the contractor were unable to agree on terms or price for vessel construction. As a result, WSF is proceeding to issue a new request for proposals for a design-build contract in accordance with Revised Code of Washington and anticipates the contract to be awarded in March 2024. The first vessel is expected to be delivered in late 2027. Once all five vessels are delivered, WSF projects a savings of 300 million gallons of diesel fuel over 60 years, and $55 million in life-cycle cost savings.

FY2021

WSF vessel improvements include hybrid-electric conversions

The most significant improvement planned in the 2021-2023 biennium is the hybrid-electric conversion of the Jumbo Mark II class vessels.

In conjunction with planned propulsion control system replacement preservation project, the M/V Wenatchee will undergo an extensive conversion to hybridelectric propulsion. Funded primarily through a $35 million grant from Washington State Department of Ecology (Washington's allocation of federal Volkswagen settlement mitigation trust funds), this project will establish WSF as a leader in sustainable marine transportation. The project replaces two of the four diesel generators with two lithium-ion energy storage banks. Design work was completed and materials procured during the 2019- 2021 biennium and construction is scheduled for April-September 2023.

The M/V Wenatchee will initially operate in hybrid-electric mode with approximately a 25% reduction in fuel consumption. Once terminal electrification is complete, the vessel will operate in full battery mode, with a fuel consumption savings of approximately 95%. WSF will continue to seek funding for sister vessels: the M/V Tacoma and M/V Puyallup. Once all three vessels are converted, this program will save nearly five million gallons of fuel each year, with corresponding reductions in CO2, NOx and particulates. The preliminary lifecycle cost analysis projects a net savings of $60 million over the remaining 40-year service life of these vessels.

New hybrid-electric propulsion vessels in the works

The legislature authorized the extension of the Olympic class new construction program, including an update of the design to include hybrid-electric propulsion, and construction of up to five additional vessels.

The first vessel and long lead time materials for the second vessel received $187 million from the 2019-2021 and 2021-2023 biennia budgets. The first two vessels will be assigned to the Clinton/Mukilteo and Seattle/Bremerton routes.

The functional design update is nearly completed and under US Coast Guard design review. The propulsion system includes lithium-ion energy storage, a direct current grid power distribution system, and four permanent magnet motors.

WSF is negotiating final terms and conditions with a design-build contractor and construction could begin as soon as February 2023 with delivery in mid-2025.

Once all five vessels are delivered, WSF projects a savings of 300 million gallons of diesel fuel over 60 years, and $55 million in lifecycle cost savings.

FY2020

WSF pursues vessel electrification

WSF is working to electrify its fleet to meet the legislative requirements for greenhouse gas reduction, including a 2030 goal of being 45% below 2005 GHG levels for state agencies. Ongoing efforts include completing a System-wide Electrification Plan, converting the 202-vehicle Jumbo Mark II vessels to hybrid electric propulsion, and constructing a hybrid electric Olympic class of vessels. The WSF System-wide Electrification Plan is nearing completion and will include:

• Technology assessment;
• Vessel requirements and feasibility analysis
• Terminal requirements and feasibility analysis;
• Construction project schedule;
• Workforce assessment;
• Financial model; and
• Emissions impact estimate

Jumbo Mark II class electrification

The M/V Wenatchee, a Jumbo Mark II class vessel, will undergo an extensive conversion to hybrid-electric propulsion during the 2021-2023 biennium. This project is funded by a $35 million grant from the Washington State Department of Ecology and $8 million in federal grants. It will establish WSF as a leader in sustainable marine transportation.

The project replaces two of the four diesel generators with two lithium-Ion battery banks. The design was completed in the 2019-2021 biennium and construction is scheduled for December 2021 through May 2022. Initially, the vessel will operate in hybrid-electric mode and achieve a reduction in fuel consumption of approximately 25%. WSF is also planning to electrify terminals; once terminal electrification is complete, the vessel will operate in full battery mode, with a fuel consumption savings of approximately 95%.

WSF will continue to seek funding to electrify the other Jumbo MK II vessels: M/V Tacoma and M/V Puyallup. Once all three vessels are converted, WSF estimates it will save nearly five million gallons of fuel per year, with a corresponding reduction in CO2, NOx and other pollutants. The preliminary life cyclecost analysis projects a net savings of $60 million over the remaining 40-year service life of these vessels.

Hybrid electric vessel construction

The legislature authorized an extension of the Olympic class vessel construction contract for up to five Hybrid Electric Olympic class vessels and has appropriated funding for the first vessel. Construction was originally scheduled to begin in December 2020, but is now planned for December 2021. Delays were the result of several factors, including contract negotiations, unanticipated design challenges, and changes in both shipyard leadership and WSF staff. The final vessel price has not been established.