Bob Ferguson New Ferry Construction in Washington 2026

Key Points

• Historic Milestone: Washington Governor Bob Ferguson announced the start of construction on the state’s first new ferry in over a decade, marking a critical step in modernising a depleted fleet.
• The Irony of Location: Despite the local need and a state-offered 13% home-field bid preference, the new hybrid-electric vessels are being constructed by Eastern Shipbuilding Group in Panama City, Florida, rather than within Washington.
• Cost and Savings: According to a press release from the Governor’s Office, the contract covers three vessels totaling $1.15 billion—coming in considerably lower than the $1.3 billion originally appropriated by the Legislature.
• Fleet Demographics: Washington State Ferries operates with 21 active vessels, though the system ideally requires 26. Out of the current fleet, 11 ferries are over 40 years old, and one is 67 years old.
• Delivery Timeline: The first 160-vehicle hybrid-electric ferry is scheduled for delivery in 2030, followed by the second in 2031 and the third in 2032.
• Political Context: Governor Ferguson noted on X (formerly Twitter) that he inherited a “ferry system in crisis”, subtly pointing to challenges faced under former Governor Jay Inslee.

Washington (Evening Washington News) August 8, 2026 — Washington State Governor Bob Ferguson marked a major transportation milestone this week by celebrating the commencement of construction on the state’s first new ferry in more than ten years. Yet, while the long-awaited project promises much-needed relief for a deteriorating marine highway network, the administration is quietly navigating a wave of scrutiny regarding why these vessels are being built thousands of miles away in Florida rather than locally.

Why is Washington State’s new ferry fleet being built in Florida?

The reality of where the state’s investment is heading became crystal clear during a ceremonial steel-cutting event. As detailed by Jackson Meyer, producer for The Jason Rantz Show, on Seattle Red, a steel-cutting ceremony was held to celebrate the construction of the new ship, but it did not take place in the Pacific Northwest.

As reported by Jackson Meyer of Seattle Red, quoting a press release from the Governor’s Office,

“The occasion will be marked by a ceremonial steel cutting event today at Eastern’s shipyard in Panama City, Fla., to begin construction of the first new 160-vehicle hybrid-electric ferry”.

This arrangement means that Washington’s next generation of marine vessels will be constructed entirely on the Gulf Coast of Florida. Analysts and critics have pointed out the inherent irony of this outcome, noting that it happened despite the state offering a 13% home-field bid preference to local shipbuilders. Ultimately, local yards were unable to match the cost-efficiency required, leaving the state to contract out-of-state labor.

What are the financial details of the $1.15 billion contract?

Despite the geographical irony, the Governor’s Office has emphasized the fiscal prudence of the final contract. As reported by local media outlet FOX 13 Seattle, the state contracted with Eastern Shipbuilding Group, based in Panama City, Florida, to build the vessels, a decision that has saved Washington taxpayers approximately $240 million compared to initial projections.

As noted in coverage by FOX 13 Seattle, the initial agreement secured two new ferries with an option for a third, an option that Governor Ferguson formally chose to exercise. According to data provided to FOX 13 Seattle by the Governor’s office, the base cost for the three ferries is $714.5 million, which climbs to a total of $1.15 billion once owner-furnished equipment, construction management, Washington State Ferries (WSF) crew training, and risk contingencies are factored into the budget.

This total remains considerably lower than the $1.3 billion originally appropriated by the state legislature. Furthermore, alternative bids evaluated by the state would have cost taxpayers roughly $1.39 billion—exceeding the initial legislative appropriation by nearly $100 million while only delivering two boats instead of three, according to the Governor’s Office.

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What is the current state of Washington’s aging ferry fleet?

The pressure to secure these new vessels stems from a deeply depleted inventory. As highlighted by MyNorthwest.com, Washington’s ferry fleet has faced severe attrition over the past decade.

As stated by Governor Bob Ferguson in a press release published by MyNorthwest.com,

“This is the first time in a decade that construction is beginning on a new ferry. In the past decade, we lost four ferries to retirement. Today signifies a critical step in rebuilding our fleet with modern vessels that will allow us to provide more dependable service”.

According to official background details released by the Governor’s Office and reported across state platforms, Washington currently maintains only 21 active vessels in a system that technically requires 26 ferries to operate effectively and maintain reliable schedules. Out of the existing active fleet, 11 vessels are over 40 years old, and one has been in service for 67 years. Before the launch of this new contract, high cancellation rates and flagging crew retention plagued daily commutes and island lifelines across Puget Sound.

How does the delivery schedule look for the hybrid-electric vessels?

The transition toward modern, eco-friendly transit will take several years to fully materialize. As covered by GeekWire, the three 160-vehicle hybrid-electric ferries are scheduled for staggered deliveries to accommodate regional transit upgrades.

The first plug-in vessel is expected to be completed and delivered to Washington waters by 2030, with the second following in 2031, and the third arriving in 2032. Governor Ferguson originally intended to travel to Florida to attend the steel-cutting ceremony personally, but canceled the trip to remain in Washington and manage ongoing state emergencies involving destructive wildfires. Instead, leadership from Washington State Ferries represented the state alongside Eastern Shipbuilding executives at the Florida yard.

What political undertones surround the announcement?

The announcement also brought underlying political dynamics to the surface. As reported by Jackson Meyer of Seattle Red, the transition of power and the state of the infrastructure have opened doors for retrospective criticism regarding prior administration choices.

As quoted by Jackson Meyer of Seattle Red, Governor Bob Ferguson posted a statement on X stating,

“I inherited a ferry system in crisis, with 11 ferries over 40 years old and 4 ferries lost to retirement in the past decade. Cancellations were high, and crew retention was flagging”.

While these remarks obliquely touch upon the challenges faced during the tenure of former Governor Jay Inslee, political commentators note that Ferguson himself previously served as the state’s Attorney General during contentious periods for public sector staffing, including vaccine mandate enforcement that impacted transit workers. Despite these past friction points, the focus remains on whether the Florida-built hybrid vessels can arrive on time to salvage a strained maritime network.