Corvus Energy announced that the company has been selected by ABB’s Marine & Ports division to supply battery energy storage systems  for two new hybrid electric ferries for Washinton State Ferries, a leading ferry operator in the United States. The contract also includes an option for a third vessel.

U.S. largest maritime electrification effort

Washington State Ferries (WSF) manages the largest ferry system in the United States, operating 21 auto-passenger ferries across 10 routes serving 19 terminals. The two new hybrid electric ferries will be the first of up to 16 new vessels delivered as part of WSF’s $3.98 billion Ferry System Electrification plan (source). The project is anticipated to be the largest investment in maritime electrification and the largest ferry electrification project in the United States to date, an important milestone for U.S. marine emissions reduction efforts.

The new 1,500 passenger and 160 vehicle capacity ferries will play a crucial role in WSF’s strategy to modernize its fleet and reduce its environmental footprint.

Ferry operations with low emissions

The hybrid ferries, equipped with both an energy storage system (ESS) and diesel-powered generators, will be designed to operate using battery power alone, as access to sufficient onshore charging capacity allows. An environmentally friendly configuration, fully battery-powered operations produce zero emissions and require zero fuel.

With the new hybrid ferries, WSF aims to achieve sizeable reductions in fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. This is in alignment with both WSF’s target to reduce ferry fleet emissions and Washington State’s broader environmental goals.

“Washington State Ferries forge 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,” says Bruce Strupp, Vice President Marine Systems of ABB’s Marine & Ports division a leader in vessel electrification. With respect to their ESS selection, he remarks, “The proven reliability, safety and performance of the Corvus ESS was important in awarding this contract to Corvus Energy.”

As the propulsion single source vendor for the new WSF ferries, ABB selected the Corvus Dolphin NxtGen ESS for the vessels. Lightweight and high power, the system incorporates next generation marine ESS design with the well-proven safety features and unmatched performance profile integral to Corvus battery systems.

Leading ferry electrification in North America

“We are thrilled to be chosen as a partner by ABB for the Washington State Ferries hybrid vessels. Washington State’s progressive Ferry Electrification Plan is a noteworthy milestone for US marine electrification. It’s a leading example of advancing sustainable ferry operations not only within the United States but also globally.” says Fredrik Witte, CEO of Corvus Energy.

North America is a significant and emerging market. Starting years ago, Corvus Energy began making strategic, long-term commitments to establish a presence in the United States. Witte concludes, “We are excited to see increased demand from North America and look forward to installing our groundbreaking Dolphin NxtGen ESS onboard the Washington State ferries.”

Anticipated project timeline and milestones

The shipyard contract for the WSF project was awarded to Florida-based shipbuilder, Eastern Shipbuilding Group. The first two hybrid electric ferries for Washington State Ferries are scheduled for operation in 2030 and in 2031.