JTC Washington State Ferries (WSF) workgroup

Sec. 204 (14) of the 2026 Supplemental Transportation Budget directs the JTC to convene a work group to consider options for long-term, financially sustainable vessel preservation and replacement, terminal improvements, and ferry asset management for Washington State Ferries (WSF).

In considering long-term vessel sufficiency and ferry asset management, the work group shall:

• Evaluate procurement and contract delivery options, including leasing, as well as parameters and schedules needed to avoid degradation of service;
• Examine alternative vessel types, propulsion systems, and fuels, taking into consideration environmental benefits and impacts, life-cycle costs, and risks associated with technology and design alternatives;
• Evaluate options for upgrading and modifying existing aging vessels and consider to what extent upgrading and modifying existing aging vessels is a viable supplemental strategy to avoid service interruptions and effectively use available resources;
• Evaluate in-state versus out-of-state shipyards for vessel construction, including consideration of shipyard capacity; and
• Evaluate sustainable funding and financing options, including leasing, certificates of participation, and bonding, that prioritize the avoidance of both a multiyear gap in service and loss of service delivery. The work group shall evaluate the financial feasibility of these options, both in ferries related accounts and the broader state transportation budget, taking into consideration other constraints in meeting long-term delivery expectations.

The work group shall report its initial findings to the governor and the transportation committees of the legislature by December 15, 2026.

The JTC has contracted with BERK to provide work group facilitation services, and with Glosten to provide technical expertise.

Work group meeting 1
Agenda and work group roster 
Presentation: State of Shipbuilding in the US   

Work group meeting 2
Agenda and work group roster   
Presentation