ABB Gets Notice to Proceed on Ferry Hybrid System
ABB will supply and integrate the power and propulsion system for a third hybrid-electric ferry for Washington State Ferries.
Updated on Nov. 15, 2026 in Electric Vehicles
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ABB received a Notice to Proceed from Washington State Ferries for a third hybrid-electric ferry, expanding its role in the program from two vessels to three. The company will supply and integrate the power and propulsion system for Vessel 3.
Why it matters
Washington State Ferries, the largest ferry operator in the United States, burns about 19 million gallons of diesel annually, and the electrification program aims to reduce reliance on diesel engines. The project forms part of a plan for up to 16 new hybrid-electric ferries by 2040.
The energy storage system on Vessel 3 has a capacity of 13.2 megawatt-hours, and the program targets a 76 percent cut in carbon dioxide emissions by 2040 compared with current diesel operations. The contract's financial value and delivery timeline were not disclosed in the source material.
The players
ABB
ABB is a multinational technology company with roughly 140 years of history and about 110,000 employees worldwide, known for industrial automation, electrification and robotics.
Washington State Ferries
Washington State Ferries is the state-run operator of the largest ferry system in the United States, serving Puget Sound and connecting island and mainland communities.
The details
The Notice to Proceed covers the Onboard DC Grid and PEMS Power and Energy Management System, which continuously manages available power sources to optimize energy use under changing operating conditions. ABB was named propulsion single source vendor for the project in 2024, and the contract was amended to reflect an initial shipbuilding order for two ships plus one option.
Timeline
2024: ABB is announced as propulsion single source vendor for the Washington State Ferries project.
November 15, 2026: ABB receives Notice to Proceed for Vessel 3.
2040: Target date for up to 16 hybrid-electric ferries and the emissions reduction goals.
2050: Target date for an envisioned emission-free fleet.
Roadmap
The third vessel extends the Onboard DC Grid and PEMS architecture beyond the initial two-ship order into a program planned for up to 16 hybrid-electric ferries. It reflects the broader move among public transit operators to replace diesel propulsion with battery-backed hybrid systems.
Riders on Washington State Ferries routes should see the effects of this program as the new hybrid vessels enter service and diesel use falls. The program's emissions targets point to cleaner air around Puget Sound ferry terminals over the coming decades.
The takeaway
Public ferry systems are moving to hybrid-electric power as a way to cut diesel use and emissions. Riders and local residents can expect gradual changes as new vessels replace older diesel boats over the next two decades.
Further reading
For more on the shift to battery-powered transport, see Electric Vehicles coverage for Washington.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Energy Supply DK.
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