$300 Million for Ferries Will Advance Clean Technology, Support Local Economies

FTA has announced grants totaling nearly $300 million from President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to expand and modernize the ferry systems. Each year, 56 million trips are made on ferries in communities across the U.S.

“Ferries serve Americans who depend heavily on this form of transit because of where they live, and the Biden-Harris Administration is making sure people have access to more reliable, cleaner ferry service,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. “These funds will make it easier for Americans to move about their day while also protecting the rivers and waterways they depend on economically.”

In total, FTA is awarding 18 grants in projects in 14 states. Federal funding will support projects such as replacing old vessels with electric ships that reduce greenhouse gas pollution and improve air quality, expanding fleets, and building new terminals and docks. Of the 18 projects, eight are receiving federal support for environmentally friendly propulsion technologies, such as electric ferries and charging equipment.

“This historic funding for FTA’s Ferry Programs will enhance ways for people to travel by water,” said FTA Acting Administrator Veronica Vanterpool. “We applaud ferry agencies for taking the big step toward electrification, increasing reliability, and bringing their aging ferry systems into a state of good repair.” View a video message from Acting Administrator Vanterpool.

The funding is for three FTA competitive grant programs:

FTA’s Ferry Service for Rural Communities Program provides competitive funding to states for ferry service in rural areas. FTA is awarding $194 million to four projects in two states.

FTA’s Passenger Ferry Grant Program supports capital projects to establish new ferry service and repair and modernize ferry vessels, terminals, and facilities in urban areas. FTA is awarding $56.3 million to eight projects in seven states.

FTA’s Electric or Low Emitting Ferry Program supports the purchase of electric or low-emitting ferries that reduce emissions by using alternative fuels or on-board energy storage systems. FTA is awarding $49 million to six projects in five states.

Projects were selected for funding based on criteria in the Notice of Funding Opportunity. FTA received 43 eligible project proposals totaling $638.7 million in requests.