OLYMPIA, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – For the first time in over a decade, work has begun on newly built ferries for our state’s ferry fleet.

Gov. Bob Ferguson’s office announced Florida-based Eastern Shipbuilding Group recently began construction on the first of three vessels.

All three hybrid-electric ferries will be able to fit up to 160 vehicles.

The initial contract with Eastern guaranteed two new vessels, but Gov. Ferguson made the decision earlier Wednesday, Aug. 5 to confirm a third one will also be built.

Washington State Ferries currently has 21 vessels operating within the nation’s largest ferry system, though it’s below the ideal number of 26.

The state’s last new ferry, the Suquamish, started construction in 2015 and was on the water by 2018.

Eastern Shipbuilding expects to finish the first of the new vessels by 2030.