The American-owned and Florida-based Eastern Shipbuilding Group has received the Notice to Proceed from Washington State Ferries (WSF) to build two with an option for an additional 160-vehicle hybrid-electric ferries for the State of Washington.

The shipbuilder states that this milestone follows the first competitive bid for ferry construction in more than 25 years for the nation’s largest ferry system.

The hybrid/electric vessels will be certified to transport 160 standard-sized passenger vehicles and 1500 passengers, and will be able to achieve a speed of 17 knots at full load.

As it is furthermore reported, the ferries are designed to interface with all existing WSF dock facilities.

WSF is a division of the Washington State Department of Transportation and the largest ferry system in the United States which carries millions of passengers a year.

“We are honored to move forward with Washington State Ferries on this historic initiative,” said Joey D’Isernia, CEO of Eastern Shipbuilding Group, Inc. “We are deeply committed to delivering world-class vessels that reflect the best of American shipbuilding, innovation, and environmental stewardship.”