Thursday, October 1, 2026
A Port of Olympia consultant outlined initial steps for bringing back passenger ferry service to South Puget Sound, as well as opportunities related to the manufacturing of electric ferries.
Peter Phillips, of Colibri Northwest, told the Port of Olympia Commission on Monday, Sept. 8, that the first step would be to conduct a demand study to determine whether people would use the service and how much they would be willing to pay for it.
The study would fold in feasibility and operational factors, which are less of a concern for Phillips since the region already has the expertise and infrastructure to support it.
“The feasibility and operations are relatively simple. It can be folded into the demand study, because we know from experience that it is feasible to run these boats because they can run out of a recreational marina. Operationally, we have the expertise in Puget Sound to do it,’” Phillips said.
Commissioner Amy Evans Harding asked several questions about the scope of the study, such as whether it would only examine one route, specifically Olympia to Des Moines.
Phillips said the study could take a broader view, but emphasized that the demand is likely to be for service to Seattle–Tacoma International Airport (SeaTac).
In response to another question by Evans Harding, Phillips said the study would also examine transit connectivity issues, such as how public transit in Des Moines could connect to SeaTac, the light rail system and other parts of Seattle.
Beyond reviving passenger ferry service, Philips said there is also an opportunity for the port to play a role in manufacturing.
Phillips said there isn’t an incentive for other shipyards in the region to invest in newer technologies since most of them are already operating at capacity.
Additionally, he said the U.S. market is attractive for European electric ferry builders but cabotage laws, such as the Jones Act, requires vessels transporting goods between two U.S. ports to be built in the country.
Phillips called the port peninsula a “perfect spot” for manufacturing and said that Artemis, a Belfast, Ireland-based electric ferry manufacturer, has expressed interest in working with the port.
Artemis EF-12 Escape, a hydrofoil electric ferry produced by the company, was showcased at a demonstration held at the Port Plaza in Olympia in May.
Phillips noted the vessel was only configured for 12 passengers, but has capacity for 30. Still, Phillips said its power unit was too small to make it all the way to Des Moines on a single charge.
Artemis, however, has a larger vessel that can carry up to 150 passengers.
Phillips also mentioned two other electric ferry makers: Candela from Sweden, which has a similar vessel for 150 passengers, and EV Maritime from New Zealand.
Phillips said the demand study would help determine which company could provide the most appropriate vessel in terms of factors such as speed and charging capacity.
He added the study may also find that the port doesn't need an electric ferry, and traditional aluminum ferries may be sufficient.
Evans Harding also asked Phillips to speak about the impact of a passenger ferry service on the environment.
There are concerns that wakes created by ferries worsen erosion on the shorelines of South Puget Sound, an issue mitigated by hydrofoil ferries as they leave no wake.
Outside such vessels, Phillips acknowledged All American Marine, one of the four local vessel builders in the region, have designed a low wake vessel to reduce damage to shorelines.
There is also concern about ferries colliding with marine mammals. Phillips said European vessel makers are cognizant of how to protect marine mammals and have technology in place to prevent collisions.
For Artemis, its hydrofoil ferries operate so quietly that marine mammals may have difficulty detecting them. To counter the problem, Phillips said that the company already has technology to signal marine mammals of the presence of its vessels.
12 comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here
terry
Earlier this summer I watched the launch of an electric powered ferry at the LaConner WA Port facility. I believe this was the first of a pair of ferries that will transport passengers within San Francisco Bay. Just saying.
Thursday, September 11, 2025 Report this
JulesJames
I want one ticket, one fare, to and from SeaTac. No chance of missing a connection. Secure monitored affordable long-term parking at the Port. Morning and afternoon service. Overnight accommodations in Des Moines if needed. It costs $100 each way right now. Willing to buy in at $50 per person each way. No public subsidies.
Thursday, September 11, 2025 Report this
Martin
Given what the Trump administration has done, how likely will foreign investors, even those from European countries be interested in a venture in the US?
Thursday, September 11, 2025 Report this
LANGSTROTH
Speaking of public subsidies, bringing new business to the port will give an opportunity to invest in our community, especially those most vulnerable. Since those people are unlikely to be employed building electric ferries, perhaps they and ultimately the rest of our community can benefit. Investments should not always be for profit.
Thursday, September 11, 2025 Report this
jimlazar
Sorry, Jules James. $50 won't buy you a ticket on this ferry unless the taxpayers subsidize it by $100. My guess is that the full cost will be $150 per passenger.
The Kitsap ferry, from Bremerton to Seattle, costs about $50/passenger (total annual budget, including bond debt service, operation, fuel, and terminal maintenance) divided by total passengers. And that's one-third of the distance of here to Des Moines. Now, the Kitsap ferry is run by the transit system, with about a 90% subsidy, so the passengers pay only $14 round trip. The rest is covered by sales tax on everything people buy in Kitsap County.
Ferries make sense when the water distance is short and the road distance is long. For example, it's only 2 miles from Boston Harbor Marina to the south end of Hartstine Island, but a 50 mile drive. If there were people who wanted to make that trip regularly, a ferry would make sense.
The mosquito fleet operated in Puget Sound before we had railroads or highways. Now it' 90 minutes by train or 60 - 150 minutes by car or bus from here to Seattle, but it would be 3+ hours by ferry. And, when the weather is rough, they would not be able to operate at all.
Talk with Skagit County (Guemes Island Ferry) or Pierce County (Anderson Island Ferry) about how much it costs to buy a Jones Act (made in USA) boat, hire a Jones Act (USA) crew, pay for docks at both ends, and for staffing. It will cost a mountain of money for a scenic, but slow journey to a place almost none of us actually want to go: Des Moines. I've lived here 48 years, and I've been there twice. The second time because I took a wrong turn.
Every other idea the Port has loses money. They lose $3 - $5 million/year, made up with $8 million in property taxes. This will also be a money pit.
But, I guess if they waste their limited property tax on this, they won't be able to subsidize log shipments, airplanes, or yachts any more.
Vote for change at the Port of Olympia: Support Krag Unsoeld and Jerry Toompas for Port Commission in the November election.
Thursday, September 11, 2025 Report this
JohnFronono
The argument against this is not the cost.
The argument against is how long it will take and how no one will use this.
It’s about 39 nm from Olympia to Des Moines. The ferry travels at 25 knots. That’s an hour and half just in travel time on the boat. At best. More if the weather is bad.
Then you have to get wherever you need to go on the bus/train/uber/whatever.
12 people at a time.
Thursday, September 11, 2025 Report this
JnNwmn
These ideas about electric ferries and staff time deflect attention from the Port's questionable practices from the past. Such as the costly fuel dock, the crane that is almost never used, the past 2 Directors that have resigned, the constant lawyer fees to fight pollution charges, the airport expansion that no one wants, etc etc etc. The Marine Terminal subsidizes foreign log exports by Weyerhauser. The voters need to turn out for the next election for 2 Port Commission seats and vote for 2 new candidates that DO NOT want the same old order.
Thursday, September 11, 2025 Report this
BobJacobs
The Port of Olympia is provided with about a half billion dollars' worth of land and structures. On which it does not pay property tax.
The Port operates four businesses on this land -- Marine Terminal, Airport, marina/boat works, and real estate.
Year after year they manage to lose money on all of these businesses.
Rather than spend money for consultants to look at yet another operation that will lose money, it's time the Port figure out how to at least break even on their current businesses.
Bob Jacobs
Friday, September 12, 2025 Report this
Porter
I'd ride a ferry from Olympia to Canada.
Friday, September 12, 2025 Report this
JW
End the corrupt Port
Friday, September 12, 2025 Report this
Person of Interest
FYI: The consultant contract has cost the Port of Olympia at least $25,000.00.
Friday, September 12, 2025 Report this
swvoltz
"Phillips said European vessel makers are cognizant of how to protect marine mammals and have technology in place to prevent collisions. " I don't believe it. When out on Budd Inlet, we often come upon seal moms with pups. Usually they see us coming and dart underwater. We're only going 5 knots so they have plenty of time. When I see them, I veer to the side. Artemis will be going 35 knots and presumedly will emit some sort of signal to the wildlife so they can dart out of the way. Really? Out on the water, when we see those really fast and loud speed boats blasting down the inlet we think about the impact on our seal population. Let's not add to the problem with this "toy" project. Yet another money pit for the Port of Olympia. Yet another bad idea.
Monday, September 15, 2025 Report this