Washington State Ferries achieves huge fuel savings

Nearly $2 million in fuel has been saved by Washington State Ferries over the past two years. The fuel saving follows a 2018 executive order by the state’s governor that challenged the service to implement operational improvements that conserve energy.

Washington State Ferries credits its captains, chief engineers and crews for optimizing vessel speeds to significantly reduce fuel consumption. As a result, more than one million gallons (3.7 million litres) became unnecessary with minimal effects on the service’s on-time performance. Reducing the speed of on-time vessels by just one knot has decreased the ferry operator’s carbon dioxide emissions by 10,000 metric tonnes. The fuel optimization efforts have facilitated the service meeting its greenhouse gas reduction goals and greatly lowering its operational costs during COVID-19 budgetary constraints.