Bids to build new plug-in Washington state ferries come in high

Washington state officials are grappling with budget limitations following high bids for new hybrid electric ferries, with the lowest bid from Eastern Shipbuilding Group at $251 million. The state had previously allocated around $1. 3 billion for ferry construction and charging infrastructure over the next several years. House Transportation Committee Chair Jake Fey expressed skepticism about funding five ferries, suggesting that only three may be feasible. Both Eastern Shipbuilding and Nichols Brothers Boat Builders submitted bids, but neither included the costly hybrid electric powertrains, which will be acquired separately.

The bids feature escalator clauses that could further inflate costs, reflecting challenges in the shipbuilding industry. Legislators plan to discuss potential funding sources amid rising prices driven by tariffs and raw material costs. The governor's office will be consulted as officials evaluate the bids, with a decision expected in the coming weeks. The first new ferry is projected for delivery in 2029, amid ongoing concerns about the aging fleet's reliability and environmental impact.