Washington State Receives High Bids for New Electric Ferries

Washington State Ferries received just two bids to build new hybrid-electric ferries, with the in-state Nichols Brothers Boat Builders submitting a significantly higher proposal than Florida-based Eastern Shipbuilding Group. Eastern's bid for the first ferry was about $251 million, slightly below the state's estimate, while Nichols' bid was about 32% higher than the state's projection, even after a 13% in-state construction credit. The state legislature had allocated approximately $1.3 billion for up to five new vessels and charging infrastructure, but with the bid prices revealed, officials doubt they can afford more than three. Neither bid includes the costly hybrid electric powertrains, which the state plans to purchase separately, and both bids contain escalator clauses allowing price increases due to cost fluctuations. Ferry managers and lawmakers expressed concern about the rising costs and the challenge of stabilizing the aging ferry fleet while reducing its environmental impact.