Vigor secured a USD 150 million contract to convert WSF’s three Jumbo Mk II-class ferries—WENATCHEE, PUYALLUP, and TACOMA—into plug-in hybrid electric ferries. However, conversion of PUYALLUP and TACOMA has been postponed until after the FIFA World Cup finals in 2026 to allow WSF to restore its extensive network to pre-pandemic levels.

WENATCHEE, PUYALLUP, and TACOMA are the largest vessels in WSF’s fleet, each capable of carrying 2,499 passengers and 202 vehicles. Built between 1997 and 1999 by the former Todd Pacific Seattle Shipyard, these ferries are central to WSF’s operations.

The conversion of WENATCHEE involved removing two of its four original EMD 710 V-16 diesel generators, constructing two battery rooms with 864 battery modules weighing 36 tonnes, installing new propulsion control systems, thousands of metres of electrical and fibre optic cabling, and upgrading onboard systems and passenger areas.

WSF selected Siemens Energy Marine Solutions to design the plug-in hybrid conversion, including the battery installation and rapid charging system. Siemens collaborated with Seattle-based naval architects Glosten for preliminary contract and production design integration of the new propulsion and plug-in systems.

When WENATCHEE, PUYALLUP, and TACOMA are fully operational with shore charging, they will reduce diesel consumption by over 3.6 million litres annually and cut greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 95 per cent.

In late May, Washington State’s governor Bob Ferguson signed the 2025/2027 state budget, allocating nearly USD 900 million from the Transport Budget to capital projects for the state’s ferry system. Over half of this funding supports WSF’s newbuilding projects and vessel/terminal electrification initiatives.

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