“This project is an important step in modernizing our fleet for the decades ahead,” said David Sowers, Electrification Program Administrator, Washington State Ferries. “Partnering with Siemens Energy allows us to take a bold step forward to build the infrastructure needed to support a more resilient, reliable, and future-ready ferry system. This investment strengthens our ability to serve our communities while reducing emissions and preparing our terminals for the next generation of maritime transportation.”
WSF’s electrification program represents a significant step toward reducing reliance on fossil fuels while improving air quality in the Puget Sound region. The ferries are the largest single consumer of diesel fuel within Washington State’s government operations. As the largest ferry system in the United States, Washington State Ferries plays a pivotal role in advancing maritime sustainability at scale. Serving nearly 25 million passengers annually across 10 routes, WSF is setting a benchmark for large scale ferry electrification in North America.
The project will deliver critical electrical infrastructure enabling reliable, high power shore side charging to support hybrid electric and future battery electric ferry operations.
Under the contract, Siemens Energy will provide engineering, systems integration, and electrical infrastructure expertise to support medium voltage shore power at WSF terminals. The scope includes system design, equipment supply and integration, and coordination to ensure safe, reliable, and future ready charging capability aligned with WSF’s evolving fleet plans.
“Washington State Ferries continues to set the benchmark for maritime electrification in North America,” said Ryan Bishop, Director of Ferry Marine Solutions, Siemens Energy. “Throughout the world, Siemens Energy is enabling operators to transition confidently to electric propulsion while maintaining the reliability and availability their passengers depend on every day.”
Siemens Energy brings deep experience integrating shipboard propulsion systems and shore side electrical infrastructure, supporting both new build and retrofit ferry programs. The terminal electrification solution builds on technologies and system architectures developed through Siemens Energy’s long standing maritime electrification experience in Europe, including early electric ferry deployments in Norway, and adapts them to the operational scale, regulatory environment, and performance requirements of Washington State Ferries.
The project supports Washington State Ferries’ broader commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and modernizing its fleet while continuing to provide safe, reliable, and dependable service throughout the Puget Sound region.
