Bellingham, Wash. shipbuilder All American Marine Inc. (AAM) has been selected to build a series of new battery-electric, zero-emission high-speed passenger ferries for operator San Francisco Bay Ferry.
SF Bay Ferry announced on Thursday that its Board of Directors authorized the agency to award AAM a $46 million contract for three 150-passenger vessels. The deal includes an option for a fourth vessel.
Aurora Marine Design (AMD), based in San Diego, led the conceptual design of the vessels, and New Zealand-based Teknicraft will work with AAM as the naval architect. Wärtsilä is serving as SF Bay Ferry’s electrification system integrator.
The 100’ x 26’ ferries will service new routes that connect San Francisco neighborhoods Treasure Island and Mission Bay to the rest of the region. The vessels will operate at 24 knots, powered by dual 625 kW electric motors.
“Once again, the Bay Area leads the way,” said Jim Wunderman, Chair of SF Bay Ferry’s Board of Directors. “This investment will connect new neighborhoods in San Francisco and lay the groundwork for widespread regional and national adoption of zero-emission water transit. This is an historic moment for SF Bay Ferry’s electrification efforts.”
Ron Wille, President and COO of All American Marine, said, “These 150-passenger ferries mark a significant milestone in advancing sustainable and innovative marine transportation. At All American Marine, we are committed to pushing the boundaries of maritime technology and contributing to a cleaner future. The REEF vessel project award is a testament to AAM’s dedication to innovation and our ability to deliver state-of-the-art, emission-free solutions. We look forward to collaborating closely with San Francisco Bay Ferry and our project partners to bring this visionary project to life and to set a new standard in the USA.”
Scheduled for delivery from 2027, the 150-passenger vessels will be the first delivered as a part of SF Bay Ferry’s Rapid Electric Emission Free (REEF) Ferry Program, which aims to transition the agency’s fleet to zero-emission propulsion technology. SF Bay Ferry has secured roughly $200 million in funding from local, state and federal agencies for system planning, new battery-electric vessels and shoreside infrastructure.
SF Bay Ferry is currently requesting proposals for the purchase of two 400-passenger high-speed, battery-electric ferries to operate transbay routes connecting Oakland and Alameda, Calif. to San Francisco.
Over time, SF Bay Ferry plans to phase out its use of conventionally fueled ferries. The final two diesel vessels purchased by the agency, Karl and Zalophus, are expected to join the fleet in 2025.
