Contract Awarded for Hybrid-Diesel Ferry to Join Cape May – Lewes Fleet

LEWES, Del. – The Delaware River and Bay Authority (DRBA) Commission has unanimously voted to award a contract for the construction of a new diesel-hybrid ferry to operate in the Cape May — Lewes Ferry Fleet. 

The new ferry will seat 75 car passengers, and serve passengers who travel between Lewes and Cape May, New Jersey. It will eventually replace the MV Cape Henlopen, a diesel engine ferry that’s been operating for over 40 years. The contract was awarded to SENESCO Marine LLC of North Kingstown, Rhode Island, with a low bid of $78.6 million.

“For sustainable ferry operations in the future, it’s imperative we make this necessary capital investment today,” said DRBA Executive Director Joel Coppadge. “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 new hybrid ferry is the start of the next chapter in the proud history of the Cape May – Lewes Ferry.”

The new vessel will provide more environmentally friendly transportation through decreased emissions at sea, and zero emissions while near port and docked. For example, the proposed hybrid and all-electric operating models are estimated to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 2,025 tons annually. The new engines will also reduce fuel consumption by an estimated 35 percent.

The project’s price tag is partially funded with a $20 million U.S. Department of Transportation grant award. The board action to award the contract took place at the bi-state agency’s monthly meeting on Nov. 18.

Construction on the new vessel is expected to start early next year, with a projected completion date of summer 2029.