Flagship Cruises & Events awarded US$15M grant for two fully electric vessels
San Diego-based Flagship Cruises & Events has been awarded a grant from the California Air Resources Board (CARB) to develop two fully electric zero-emissions ferries to serve the San Diego to Coronado route.
“Flagship is excited to lead the way with an environmentally friendly sustainable transport alternative for ferry passengers,” said Flagship Cruises & Events president Brad Engel. “We are grateful for CARB’s support to bring zero-emissions vessels to our San Diego-Coronado service with the first all-electric newbuild ferries in California.”
Equipped with advanced battery technology, the new vessels will not emit any greenhouse gases during operation or particulate matter associated with traditional combustion engines.
The CARB Advanced Technology Demonstration and Pilot Project grant is part of California Climate Investments, a statewide initiative that puts ‘Cap-and-Trade’ dollars to work to benefit the environment, economy and public health. The Flagship project will be implemented in partnership with the San Diego Air Pollution Control District.
The innovative vessel design reduces the carbon footprint of local transit options and advances the Port of San Diego’s Green Port initiatives.
Construction of the new vessels is expected to begin later this year with the goal of launching the first ferry by Q3 2026, with project costs of around US$21M. Flagship will engage with the community to provide updates and information as the project evolves.
“Our family business launched in San Diego more than 100 years ago and it has always depended upon sustainability – healthy air, clean water and the beauty of San Diego Bay,” said Flagship chairman Art Engel. “We are proud to be contributing to a thriving environment for the next 100 years.”
