Sending Washington shipbuilding contracts out of state betrays Tacoma | Opinion

The recent announcement that Washington state has awarded a $714 million contract to Eastern Shipbuilding Group in Florida to build three hybrid-electric ferries marks a dramatic shift in transportation policy. It’s the first time in over half a century that our state ferries will be built beyond our borders. That decision might save money in the short term — but it risks mortgaging the future of Washington’s maritime economy.

Tacoma and the surrounding Puget Sound communities are built on shipyards, skilled trades and blue-collar pride. We’ve long been home to welders, pipefitters, engineers and deckhands. Washington’s own maritime industry has the capacity — if properly invested in — to build the vessels that navigate our waters. The question is not whether we can build them here. The question is whether we choose to.

When contracts go out of state, so do the jobs. Each ferry constructed outside Washington forfeits hundreds of local union paychecks. These aren’t theoretical jobs — they’re family-supporting wages that ripple through the economy, from grocery stores and coffee shops to housing and healthcare providers. Shipbuilding isn’t just an industrial sector; it’s a community sustainer.

It’s also a revenue generator. The taxes paid by shipbuilders, engineers and related suppliers stay in Washington. They fund schools, parks and public safety. When we contract out-of-state, we send those dollars to places like Bay County, Florida — where the Eastern Shipbuilding Group will reap the lion’s share of economic benefit from our public transportation needs.

And what about long-term strategic value? Washington is poised to be a national leader in green maritime technology. Hybrid-electric ferries aren’t just a transportation evolution — they’re a climate imperative. Building that future here offers a unique chance to establish a workforce fluent in electrification, sustainable propulsion and next-generation design. That kind of expertise isn’t just useful for ferries—it could shape global maritime innovation for decades. But without steady investment and political will, we risk losing it to states willing to bet on themselves.

Yes, local bids came in higher. But they reflect the true costs of building in Washington — where we uphold strong labor standards, environmental protections and local sourcing. Those values don’t come cheap, nor should they. A penny saved on out-of-state contracts could mean a pound of hardship later when our own shipyards wither from underinvestment.

Gov. Bob Ferguson’s decision may have been pragmatic. But pragmatism without vision leads to economic erosion. A state that once built legendary ferries from scratch now outsources its future — one hull at a time.

Tacoma, Bremerton, Anacortes — we know what it means to invest in ourselves. We’ve seen what happens when local industries are nurtured: they thrive. We’ve also seen what happens when they’re neglected: they disappear. Let’s not let shipbuilding become another casualty of fiscal shortsightedness.

Instead, we should adopt a long-term strategy that includes:

• Incentivizing local shipyards to modernize for electric ferry construction
• Partnering with technical colleges and trade programs to build a maritime workforce pipeline
• Prioritizing Washington bidders in future ferry contracts — with stronger bid credits and support
• Embracing a maritime industrial policy that champions sustainability and equity

The Port of Tacoma and other regional ports are more than just economic assets — they’re symbols of resilience and possibility. If Washington wants to lead the nation in climate-ready infrastructure, job creation, and regional pride, it must look inward and invest in its shipbuilding backbone.

We deserve ferries built by Washington hands. Let’s make sure the next chapter of our maritime story starts at home.