San Francisco Bay Ferry advances cleaner transit with latest fleet addition
On November 17th, San Francisco Bay Ferry announced the commissioning of MV Zalophus, expanding its high-speed fleet and advancing its transition toward cleaner transit options. This 19th vessel reflects the regional public transportation agency's commitment to air quality and public health in the Bay Area.
Named by student Reed Marvin for the California sea lion, MV Zalophus was built by Mavrik Marine and designed by One2Three Naval Architects. It can seat 320 passengers, includes bike storage and an enclosed upper deck, and can reach up to 36 knots. It is now operating on the Vallejo route and is compatible with all of the agency’s routes.
MV Zalophus is the latest addition to the Dorado class, comprising four renewable diesel-fueled vessels, and follows the commissioning of MV Karl, which entered service earlier in 2025. Both vessels use four EPA Tier 4 engines equipped with diesel particulate filters, a configuration the agency describes as the cleanest among high-speed, high-capacity passenger ferries in the United States. Working closely with partners such as the California Air Resources Board, the agency commissioning strengthens the agency’s ability to offer fast, reliable, and environmentally responsible transportation.
The commissioning also signals a turning point. MV Zalophus is the last diesel ferry the agency plans to introduce as it advances efforts to electrify terminals and build the country’s first fleet of high‑speed, battery‑electric passenger vessels. The first five electric ferries are currently being built and scheduled to launch in 2027.
Photo: Alexis Matsui, San Francisco Bay Ferry