Florida-based boat builder proposes collaborating on an electric ferry project with a competitor in Washington state.
Hear Me Out, Ferguson: Let Both Boat Builders Construct Washington's Electric Ferries
Nichols Brothers Boat Builders, based on Whidbey Island, threw their hat in the ring this week, urging Gov. Bob Ferguson to consider a joint venture between them and Eastern Shipbuilding Group from Panama City, Florida, for Washington State's new electric ferry fleet.
In a letter to Ferguson, Gavin Higgins, CEO of Nichols Brothers, proposed a novel idea that could benefit everyone involved, including his company's competition in the bid process. Higgins argued that the state would see more boats in service sooner, whilst pumping cash into the local economy by giving contracts to both boat builders.
The Washington State Department of Transportation received just two bids to build a new generation of hybrid-electric boats for Washington State Ferries two days ago. Nicholas Brothers estimated that one boat would cost a hefty $338.6 million, while Eastern estimated the cost at a more manageable $251.3 million, closer matching the state's estimate of $256.8 million.
Higgins contends that, under ideal circumstances, the state could order two ferries from each shipyard and still stay within the $1.27 billion state budget for up to five boats. If his company secures the contract, they will invest in a robotic welding panel line and a paint facility, which would be the first of its kind on the West Coast.
The timing for this project isn't perfect, considering that materials for the ferries will be sourced globally, in a time of economic instability and uncertainty. Both bids feature escalator clauses that allow the shipyards to charge more when unexpected cost changes arise.
State Sen. Marko Liias, D-Edmonds, chair of the Senate Transportation Committee, claims that he's been briefed on the contract bids but has no insight into the chosen bidder. "I expect we'll be looking at one contract for two boats, with an option for a third," he said.
Regardless of the final decision, Liias commended the state's decision to move forward on this project, noting that it proves wiser than the earlier bid of $400 million per vessel from Vigor Shipyards, a local builder the state contracted with since the late 1990s. The most recent WSF boat, the diesel-powered Suquamish, was built by Vigor in 2018 for $122 million.
So, is collaboration the key to success for Washington's electric ferry fleet? Only time will tell. Stay tuned for more updates on this developing situation.
ndeshais@our website## Latest Headlines
- Autopsies Reveal Fatal Findings in Travis Decker Case
- Pride Sponsors withholding Support from Seattle Parade
- Record-breaking Heat Scorches Seattle
- Macklemore's Mansion a Target for Home Invasion
- Valley Medical Center Sets to End Affiliation with UW Medicine
- Seattle Business: Nichols Brothers Boat Builders Propose Joint Venture with Eastern Shipbuilding Group for Washington's Electric Ferries
- Washington State Economy: Collaboration between Boat Builders could Benefit Local Economy and Speed up Electric Ferry Fleet Production
- Seattle-Washington Traffic & Transportation: Gov. Ferguson to Decide on the Contract for State's New Generation of Hybrid-Electric Ferries
- Seattle-Washington Finance & Industry: State Budget Tight as Boat Contract Bids Reveal Hefty Costs for New Electric Ferries
- **Seattle-Washington Technology: If Selected, Nichols Brothers to Invest in Advanced Robotic Welding and Paint Facilities, First of its Kind on West Coast.
