Corvus Energy to power up Washington hybrid newbuilds

The contract was awarded by ABB’s Marine & Ports division, which is acting as propulsion single source vendor for the project, and has included an option for a third vessel. Florida-based Eastern Shipbuilding Group has been appointed as shipbuilder, with the first two ferries scheduled for delivery in 2030 and 2031.

Norway-based Corvus will supply its Dolphin NxtGen energy storage system for the vessels, a system that combines high power output with a lightweight design and is said to incorporate the safety architecture used across the company’s wider battery portfolio.

The ferries will run on battery power alone where sufficient shoreside charging capacity is available, with back-up diesel generators.

Washington State Ferries operates the largest ferry system in the United States, running 21 auto-passenger vessels across 10 routes serving 19 terminals. The two newbuilds are the first of up to 16 vessels to be delivered under the operator’s $4 billion Ferry System Electrification plan. Each ferry will carry up to 1,500 passengers and 160 vehicles.

“Washington State Ferries forges a very progressive path towards environmentally sustainable operations with these electric hybrid ferries, marking a significant milestone in the evolution of zero-emission maritime transportation in the US, said Bruce Strupp, vice president marine systems at ABB’s Marine & Ports division.

“The proven reliability, safety and performance of the Corvus ESS was important in awarding this contract to Corvus Energy.”

“Washington State’s progressive Ferry Electrification Plan is a noteworthy milestone for US marine electrification,” said Corvus CEO Energy Fredrik Witte. “It’s a leading example of advancing sustainable ferry operations not only within the United States but also globally.”

Bergen-headquartered Corvus Energy says it has completed more than 1,300 projects to date and claims that more than half of the world’s vessels fitted with zero-emission technology carry its systems.

The company has been building its North American presence over several years and the Washington State contract is one of its most high profile in the region.