Corvus Energy has been selected by ABB’s Marine & Ports division to provide battery energy storage systems (ESS) for two new hybrid electric ferries being built for Washington State Ferries (WSF), with an option covering a third vessel.

The agreement forms part of WSF’s $3.98bn Ferry System Electrification plan, which includes the delivery of up to 16 new vessels. The programme is expected to represent the largest investment in maritime electrification in the United States to date.

WSF operates the largest ferry network in the country, running 21 auto-passenger ferries across 10 routes serving 19 terminals. The two new hybrid vessels will each be designed to carry around 1,500 passengers and 160 vehicles.

The ferries will combine battery energy storage systems with diesel-powered generators, allowing them to operate solely on battery power where sufficient shore charging infrastructure is available. Fully battery-powered operations will produce zero emissions and require no fuel consumption during those periods.

Washington State Ferries aims to achieve reductions in fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions with the new hybrid ferries, in alignment with the ferry fleet's emissions reduction targets and Washington State's environmental goals.

Bruce Strupp, Vice President Marine Systems, ABB's Marine & Ports division, said: "Washington State Ferries forge a very progressive path towards environmentally sustainable operations with these electric hybrid ferries, marking a significant milestone in the evolution of zero-emission maritime transportation in the US."

Regarding the energy storage system selection, he added: "The proven reliability, safety and performance of the Corvus ESS was important in awarding this contract to Corvus Energy."

ABB, serving as the propulsion single-source vendor for the new Washington State Ferries vessels, selected the Corvus Dolphin NxtGen ESS for the ferries. The system is described as lightweight and high-power, incorporating a next-generation marine energy storage system design.

Fredrik Witte, CEO of Corvus Energy, commented: "We are thrilled to be chosen as a partner by ABB for the Washington State Ferries hybrid vessels. Washington State's progressive Ferry Electrification Plan is a noteworthy milestone for US marine electrification. It's a leading example of advancing sustainable ferry operations not only within the United States but also globally."

Witte added: "We are excited to see increased demand from North America and look forward to installing our groundbreaking Dolphin NxtGen ESS onboard the Washington State ferries."

The shipbuilding contract for the hybrid ferries has been awarded to Eastern Shipbuilding Group in Florida. The first two vessels are scheduled to enter service in 2030 and 2031.

Corvus Energy said it has delivered systems across more than 1,300 projects, with over half of the world’s zero-emission vessels now equipped with its technology.