WETA reveals new details on San Francisco battery

San Francisco's Water Emergency Transportation Authority (WETA), operator of the ferry system in San Francisco Bay, is moving forward with plans to launch the first fleet of zero-emission, battery-powered high-speed ferries in the U.S. This week, it unveiled design renderings and announced a supplier of the battery systems.

The newbuilds being procured through SF Bay Ferry's Rapid Electric Emission Free (REEF) Ferry Program include two 400-passenger vessels that will operate on the system's Central Bay routes and three 150-passenger vessels that will serve San Francisco's Treasure Island and Mission Bay neighborhoods.

WETA is currently seeking bids from U.S. shipyards to build the new ferries, the first of which is expected to enter service in 2026. Shipbuilders both inside and outside California are expected to bid on the project.

Seattle-based Elliott Bay Design Group was selected to design and manage the construction of the larger vessels, while San Diego-based Aurora Marine Design (AMD) designed the smaller vessels and is also consulting on the overall architecture of the zero-emissions system.

In order to meet the operational requirements for charging technology and in view of the expected shorter travel times for this class of vessel, AMD's Design features include highly efficient drives that enable quick and efficient docking, battery technology that supports rapid charging, and wider, self-deploying boarding ramps. An open interior with lounge-style seating and extra-large windows allows passengers to enjoy the views on the ferry.

“The revised design of the smaller vessels aims to maximize ridership and the rider experience,” said Seamus Murphy, general manager of SF Bay Ferry. “This means we are doing everything we can to provide service that is comfortable, convenient, frequent and fast enough to make public transit the first choice for commuters and residents traveling to these growing neighborhoods.”

“This vessel is the culmination of several years of design work, working closely with the industry and ferry operators to achieve the right balance between cutting-edge technology and robustness,” said Shaun Green, director at AMD. “The 150-passenger vessel significantly enhances the passenger experience with a fresh, modern design that paves the way for the future SF Bay Ferry fleet.”

At the end of 2023, WETA appointed Finnish technology group Wärtsilä as system integrator for the electrification of the REEF Ferry Program to ensure that the technology and equipment of the battery-electric vessels and the infrastructure work together smoothly.

Echandia was selected to provide marine battery systems and the company said it plans to deliver the first battery systems in the second quarter of 2025. The Sweden-based company recently announced the opening of a manufacturing facility in Marysville, Washington, to ensure the new ships will be powered by U.S.-made batteries and meet the Federal Transit Administration's (FTA) Buy America requirements.

“This is a milestone in our expansion into the North American market. This is probably the most prestigious maritime electrification project in the world that we have been involved in to date and I think many others will look to this project as a benchmark for the future. This is truly a testament to the quality and safety of our battery systems,” said Fredrik Hellström, CEO of Echandia.

“We are proud to partner with Echandia to develop the first high-speed, high-capacity battery-electric ferries in the United States,” said Murphy. “Among the many benefits of our program are the creation of new jobs and the expansion of the zero-emission shipping industry in the United States. By opening this new facility, Echandia is helping us realize these benefits.”

SF Bay Ferry has received $117 million in local, state and federal funding to begin work on the REEF program, which also includes building a new electric charging dock for the Downtown San Francisco Ferry Terminal, electrifying the Treasure Island Ferry Terminal and building a Mission Bay Ferry Terminal with electric vessel charging capabilities. The agency and its partners expect to begin building the first electric ferries and electric boats in 2024.

Future phases of the program include additional float conversions for the East Bay and San Francisco terminals, converting the 400-passenger Hydrus-class vessels to battery electric power, and building or converting up to eleven additional small or medium-sized battery electric ferries.