Contract awarded for new Cape May-Lewes Ferry boat
The new, cleaner ferry boat is one step closer to joining the Cape May-Lewes Ferry fleet.
Delaware River and Bay Authority officials announced Dec. 2 that its commissioners unanimously voted to award a contract for the construction and outfitting of a new 75-car, diesel-hybrid ferry to SENESCO Marine LLC of North Kingstown, R.I. The low bid was $78.6 million.
The new ferry will eventually replace the MV Cape Henlopen, a 40-plus-year-old diesel-engine ferry that currently serves passengers who travel between Lewes and Cape May, N.J.
DRBA Executive Director Joel Coppadge said the Cape May-Lewes Ferry is important to the resort communities on both sides of Delaware Bay.
“For sustainable ferry operations in the future, it’s imperative we make this necessary capital investment today,” Coppadge said. “The ferry is a critical piece of regional infrastructure, and we’re proud of the ferry’s heritage and link between two historic destinations. The new hybrid ferry is the start of the next chapter in the proud history of the Cape May-Lewes Ferry.”
DRBA officials said the benefits of the new eco-friendly vessel include lower operating and maintenance costs, decreased emissions at sea and zero emissions while near port and docked. The hybrid and all-electric operating modes are estimated to achieve the following annual reductions: 2,025 tons in carbon dioxide, 102.7 tons in nitrogen dioxide, 1.51 tons of fine particulate matter, 1.03 tons of hydrocarbons and 5 tons of carbon monoxide. The new engines will also reduce fuel consumption by an estimated 35%.
“The Cape May-Lewes Ferry is a vital transportation link and an economic catalyst for the southern regions of Delaware and New Jersey,” said Heath Gehrke, director of ferry operations. “Hundreds of thousands of people rely on our year-round service to get them safely across to work, visit loved ones, get to that vacation destination or to avoid the hassle of highway congestion. By moving forward with our vessel modernization effort, we’re ensuring that future generations will continue to enjoy a break from the ordinary aboard the Cape May-Lewes Ferry.”
The project’s price tag of $78.6 million is partially funded with a $20 million U.S. Department of Transportation grant award. The board action to award the contract, which is subject to the New Jersey and Delaware governors’ 10-day review and consent period, took place at the bi-state agency’s monthly meeting Nov. 18.
With the recent bid award complete, construction on the new vessel is slated to start early next year with a projected completion date of summer 2029.
