Wärtsilä to supply electric propulsion for San Francisco electric passenger ferries

Wärtsilä will supply the electric propulsion system for three fully battery electric, high-speed ferries that will operate in the San Francisco Bay area. The zero-emission vessels will be the first full electric high-speed ferries to operate and be built in the USA. The Wärtsilä order was placed by All American Marine (AAM), on behalf of San Francisco Bay Ferry, California’s largest public ferry operator.

“These 150-passenger ferries represent a transformative step forward in sustainable and innovative marine transportation,” said Ron Wille, president of All American Marine. “They showcase AAM’s unwavering commitment to innovation, delivering cutting-edge, emission-free solutions. As we look to the future of this project, we are relying upon Wärtsilä’s advanced technologies and extensive expertise to continue driving the success of this pioneering project.”

The three zero-emission vessels will be the first delivered as a part of San Francisco Bay Ferry’s Rapid Electric Emission Free (REEF) Ferry Program, a collection of projects to transition the agency’s fleet to zero-emission propulsion technology. They will operate on new routes that connect two of San Francisco’s fastest-growing neighborhoods (Treasure Island and Mission Bay) to SF Bay Ferry’s Downtown hub. Wärtsilä will work within the REEF project team to finalize the vessel and charging system concepts.

Wärtsilä’s scope of supply is for the full electric propulsion system. This includes the energy and power management system (EPMS), the integrated automation system (IAS), batteries, DC Hub, transformers, e-motors, and the shore power supply. The Wärtsilä equipment is scheduled for delivery commencing in 2026, and the first vessel is expected to join the ferry fleet in early 2027.

“The award of this contract represents a clear endorsement of our strong track record in systems integration and emission-free propulsion, and supports our global efforts to decarbonize the marine industry,” said Jan Othman, vice president, project services, Wärtsilä Marine. “We congratulate SF Bay Ferry and AAM for their vision in bringing this exciting project to fruition.”

Aurora Marine Design delivered the initial concept design of the vessels to SF Bay Ferry. Teknicraft is responsible for the detailed design of the vessels which will be built to USCG Subchapter T standards. The vessels will operate at 24kts, powered by dual 625kW electric motors. The ferries will be 100ft long with 26ft beam and a 5.9ft draft.