LNG use on Washington State Ferries Could Save Millions over Time.

An LNG-fuelled ferry would have significant environmental and economic benefits, according to a recently feasibility study for Washington State Ferries. Architectural and marine engineering firm, The Glosten Associates, recently completed the feasibility study for Washington State Ferries (WSF) on converting its 144-car ferry design to liquefied natural gas (LNG) propulsion. 

Glosten's study concluded that the conversion is both technically feasible and cost effective, although technical and regulatory challenges remain. The study examined design, economic, regulatory, and environmental issues. 

The operational savings for a single vessel are estimated to be between $900,000 and $1.25 million per year, after an upfront capital cost premium of $8.5 million to $10 million. Switching to natural gas fuel will significantly reduce emissions of nitrous oxides (NOx), sulfur oxides (SOx), particulate matter, and carbon dioxide (CO2). These greenhouse gases have been identified by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as significant factors in harming human health, including respiratory illnesses, as well as damaging to the environment. 

Glosten’s design was formally reviewed by the United States Coast Guard (USCG). USCG provided extensive feedback as well as a written response, showing their willingness to work with owners early in developing a case-by-case design basis until official rules are developed. The USCG response provides WSF with a regulatory basis from which to advance the project design. This is an important result, as the lack of USCG regulations is often cited as a primary risk to vessel owners interested in reaping the benefits of LNG fuel conversion.

Overall, this looks very promising for the nation's largest ferry system to save on operating costs. The initial investment is pretty sizeable, however saving nearly a million dollars per year in fuel will do a lot to shrink the state budget. We think that this would be a great use of federal funds as opposed to some of the other job creation projects that have been touted - such as the high-speed rail project the current administration is pushing.

Click herefor the full Glosten Associates report.

Foss Maritime Awarded Washington State Ferry Newbuild Contract

WSF Director of Communications
17 November 2011

Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT), Seattle, WA, recently awarded a $9.6 million contract to Foss Maritime Co., Seattle, to build an all-aluminum, double-end, 20-car ferry to operate on Lake Roosevelt in Eastern Washington.
The new Keller Ferry vessel will have an overall length of 116 ft, beam of 45 ft 8 inches and molded draft of 7 ft. It will admeasure less than 100 gross tons and be built to conform with and certified to U.S. Coast Guard Subchapter T regulations. The ferry’s design and construction will be in accordance with ABS requirements, although it will not be ABS classed and the shipyard is not required to arrange onboard ABS inspection. ABS certificates will be required for certain pieces of equipment and the propulsion system vendor will be required to obtain ABS certification of the propulsion control system.

Building the ferry will also pose some unique challenges. The remote location of the Keller Ferry operation will require that the ferry be built in sections at Foss' Rainier, OR, facility and then transported about 350 miles across state and assembled on site at the ferry landing.

The new ferry, shown in the computer rendering at right, is being built to replace the 63-year-old Martha S. The Martha S. makes about 30 to 35 daily trips on a 1.25 mile route crossing the Columbia River between Lincoln and Ferry counties. The operation serves as a critical transportation link for nearby residents, school children, freight haulers and emergency services.
WSDOT said that the bid by Foss of $9,557,178 was nearly $250,000 less than the state’s estimate. Foss will deliver the new ferry in May 2013.

Cracks found in year-old Chetzemoka's propellers

M/V Chetzemoka has problems. Supposedly it is just out of the manufacturer's warranty period.Hopefully Vigor does right by the State of Washington. The ship was actually built by Todd Shipyards which was acquired by Vigor.

 

From KOMO News: 

By Ray Lane Published: Nov 9, 2011 at 5:26 PM PST Last Updated: Nov 9, 2011 at 6:49 PM PST

 

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SEATTLE -- Thousands of dollars in repairs are in the works after cracks were found on the propellers of Washington state's newest and most expensive ferry boat.

The ferry Chetzemoka was built by Vigor Industrial, which was formally known as Todd Pacific Shipyards.But the propellers were built by Rolls-Royce Marine.

Both businesses say they're trying to figure out what happened.

The Chetzemoka is running with patched-up propellers. Washington State Ferries says the ferry had been in dry dock in Anacortes for scheduled repairs for more than three weeks, during which time inspectors found hairline cracks on one of the 8,000-pound propellers.

Additional tests showed that each of the five blades on both propellers had cracked near the hub. The ferry system says it appears that improperly cast stainless steel is to blame for the problems. Officials believe a high-carbon content made the metal too porous and too brittle.

"These are big ships plowing the waters of Puget Sound in salt water. Stuff happens," said David Moseley of WSF. "That's why we are diligent about the maintenance of these boats, and that's why we're diligent every time we take them out of the water."

Vigor Industrial says two other new ferries of the same class - the Salish and Kennewick - have different, variable-pitch bronze propellers, and therefore should not have the same problems.

One year ago, when the $77 million Chetzemoka made its inaugural run from Whidbey Island to Port Townsend, it was heralded as a new lifeline that could handle the rough waters of Puget Sound.

Transportation officials defended the cost, and the companies that constructed it.

"We have tremendous builders in Washington state and they will help us maintain and preserve these boats for the 60-plus years they're in life," said Transportation Secretary Paula Hammond.

Replacement propellers are now being made for the Chetzemoka, but they won't be ready until April.

The state says it'll file a warranty claim against Vigor Industrial to pay for the new props, which cost $70,000 per piece.

VIGOR & US Fab Deliver New Ferry to Washington State

From Professional Mariner

(11/7/2011)

SEATTLE, WA - One completed, one to begin. Even as VIGOR Industrial this week delivered the final new 64-car ferry to Washington State Ferries, the company's US Fab shipbuilding division received a green light from the state to begin constructing the system's next vessel. On Monday, the companies delivered the state's newest ferry, Kennewick, to WSF, three months ahead of schedule. Separately, the state today authorized the shipbuilder to begin constructing Washington's next new ferry, a 144-car vessel designed to provide maximum capacity in the system's Pacific Northwest waters. Today's "notice of award" allows US Fab to begin production after it finalizes its contracts and begins to order steel and other materials. The ferry construction will generate more than 500 jobs around Puget Sound, with more than half of the work and materials expected to come from two dozen regional subcontractors and vendors. "These are two great steps for the people who ride and rely on Washington State ferries as well as for those of us who build these ships," said Kevin Quigley, president of VIGOR's US Fab division. "Tens of thousands of people will ride the Kennewick and then the new 144-car ferry every month. And hundreds of Washington workers will have jobs building and outfitting the new boat in our shipyards and with our subcontractors and suppliers throughout the region." The just-completed ferry and the just-approved one are both major milestones for Washington's vessel replacement program. "We're elated that our partners at Vigor shipyards delivered the Kennewick three months ahead of schedule — that means our customers will get to enjoy a new vessel even sooner than we'd planned," said David Moseley, Assistant Secretary of Transportation and WSF director. "And I am thrilled that we are moving forward with the 144-car ferry program. This vessel will allow us to retire the 55-year old ferry Evergreen State and provide more reliable service to our customers." The final negotiated price of $115.4 million includes more than $6 million cut from the company's initial contract submission. VIGOR, US Fab and WSF worked closely together to eliminate non-essential items while maintaining safety, performance and passenger conveniences. Savings include the use of some new materials and improved methods for building mechanical systems, as well as improved construction scheduling, more efficient training, stricter quality assurance and new contract management approaches that VIGOR and its team learned from building the 64-car ferries. The new ferry will cost $400,000 less per car-slot than the initial 64-car Kwa-di Tabil class vessel. Construction will generate an estimated 200 family-wage jobs at VIGOR's large Harbor Island facility, which the company acquired when it purchased Todd Pacific Shipyards in February. The work also will provide an additional 350 jobs at subcontractors, vendors and other shipyards in the region and will support thousands of additional indirect jobs. "Industrial jobs really matter in this state," said Frank Foti, VIGOR president and chief executive officer. "With this ferry, we're expanding the proud, hundred-year legacy of shipbuilding at Harbor Island. We're continuing the successful model of teaming with other shipyards around the state, as we did with Kennewick and its two sister ships. And we'll be building the newest ferry that passengers, Washington State Ferries, the Legislature and the Governor all determined is very much needed." Today's notice of award is the next step in a contract initially adopted by the state in December 2007 with funding overwhelmingly approved by the legislature and governor this spring. "We're ready to get underway," Quigley said. "We believe our subcontractors share our commitment to building the vessel the Legislature and WSF want at the lowest possible cost, delivering the best value possible to the state and the ferry passengers." The 144-car ferry will be the ninth built at Harbor Island when it joins Kennewick and 22 other vessels in the WSF fleet. The system is the largest ferry operation in the United States and the fourth largest in the world. The shipbuilders expect to start "cutting steel" in early 2012; final construction will last up to 27 months.