US shipyard Nichols Brothers Boat Builders (NBBB) has been awarded a contract from San Francisco Bay Ferry to design and build two 400-passenger battery-electric ferries as part of the agency’s Rapid Electric Emission Free (REEF) ferry programme.
The project is intended to significantly reduce emissions and advance sustainable transportation in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Lacey Greene, VP New Construction Sales, NBBB, said: “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.”
The 43.3m x 10.6m Subchapter K vessels will operate at 25 knots, 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.
As an aluminium vessel specialist since 1982, NBBB pioneered the first high-speed aluminium catamaran in US waters. Over the past four decades, the company has delivered more than 50 new high-speed catamarans and completed numerous repairs, rebuilds, and repowers of aluminium passenger vessels. The REEF project represents a significant milestone in NBBB’s continued innovation with this first all-electric vessel construction project.
Gavin Higgins, CEO NBBB, said: “We are honoured to partner with SF Bay Ferry on this transformative project, which will set a new standard for sustainable maritime transportation. 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.”
This project aligns with California’s aggressive clean energy initiatives, demonstrating the state’s commitment to environmentally friendly public transportation. The new electric ferries are expected to provide commuters with a cleaner, greener alternative, reducing the region’s carbon footprint while enhancing the passenger experience.
Image: San Francisco Bay all-electric ferry (source: Nichols Brothers Boat Builders)
