San Francisco Bay Ferry has awarded a contract to Ice Floe, doing business as Nichols Brothers Boat Builders (NBBB), to design and construct two 400-passenger battery-electric ferries as part of the agency’s Rapid Electric Emission Free (REEF) Ferry Program.
Modular battery-electric propulsion
The 142ft 1in x 34ft 9in Subchapter K vessels will operate at 25kts, serving central bay routes that connect Oakland and Alameda to San Francisco. The modular propulsion system features four independent propulsion units, each equipped with a Hydromaster drive, and a scalable energy storage system – including MCS charging units, a DC grid and advanced DC conversion technology, all provided by EPSI Wärtsilä North America.
Local investment
This project aligns with California’s clean energy initiatives. The new electric ferries are intended to provide commuters with a cleaner, greener alternative, reducing the region’s carbon footprint while enhancing the passenger experience.
Lacey Greene, vice president of new construction sales at NBBB, enthused, “We are excited to collaborate with industry leaders, including Incat Crowther, a world-class passenger vessel designer; Wärtsilä North America, the electrical propulsion system integrator; and Ockerman Automation Consulting, a renowned electrical engineering firm. Our collective expertise and innovative technology will ensure the successful delivery of high-performance, energy-efficient ferries that align with SF Bay Ferry’s sustainability goals.”
“We are honored to partner with SF Bay Ferry on this transformative project, which will set a new standard for sustainable maritime transportation,” added Gavin Higgins, CEO of NBBB. “Beyond delivering state-of-the-art ferries, this initiative will create jobs, stimulating local economies where they are built and operated. The project will also reinforce California’s leadership in zero-emission transit solutions.”
In related news, San Francisco Bay Ferry recently purchased the nation’s first three battery-electric, zero-emission high-speed passenger ferries from All American Marine (AAM). Click here to read the full story.
