The Delaware River and Bay Authority has awarded a $78.6 million contract for the construction of a diesel-hybrid ferry to help modernize its fleet.
The contract for the 75-car passenger/vehicle ferry, which will eventually replace the MV Cape Henlopen, a more than 40-year-old diesel ferry that serves passengers between Lewes, Delaware, and Cape May County, went to SENESCO Marine LLC of North Kingstown, Rhode Island.
DRBA Executive Director Joel Coppadge said, “The ferry’s a critical piece of regional infrastructure, and we’re proud of the ferry’s heritage and link between two historic destinations.”
The benefits of the eco-friendly vessel include lower operating and maintenance costs, decreased emissions at sea and zero emissions while near port and docked. The new engines will reduce fuel consumption by an estimated 35 percent.
The project’s price tag of $78.6 million is partially funded with a $20 million U.S. Department of Transportation grant. The DRBA board awarded the contract on Nov. 18.
Construction of the new vessel is slated to start early next year, with a projected completion date of summer 2029.
