Quonset’s Senesco to build Northeast’s first hybrid ferries

Quonset senesco
U.S. Department of Transportation Acting Administrator Veronica Vanterpool recently visited the Business Park to announce that Quonset company Senesco Marine will construct two hybrid-powered commuter ferries for the state of Maine, funded through a federal grant to improve ferry services throughout the United States.

U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg highlighted the visit in his weekly address. “Acting Administrator Veronica Vanterpool was in Rhode Island seeing construction underway on a new electric ferry,” he said. “We were delighted to bring good news as we announced a round of grants to modernize and improve and expand ferry systems across the country.”

The two vessels will use hybrid diesel-electric propulsion systems that will reduce emissions and maintenance requirements and enhance transportation efficiency. The ferries are expected to make half of the one-hour round trip on electric power, reducing the overall carbon footprint of the commute.

Senesco is the first New England shipyard to build a hybrid commuter vessel of this kind – another example of Quonset companies leading the way!

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