January Roundup: Fickle ferries, port news and axolotls
News from around our waterways this month
20,108,545
That's Washington State Ferries total ridership for 2025. It's the first time it passed 20 million since 2019.
It's already an eventful start to 2026: Damaged propellers. Mechanical breakdowns. Terminal and piling construction.
"Unexpected mechanical issues sidelined three ferries over the first three days of January," wrote WSF leader Steve Nevey in his first weekly update of the year.
Appointed in February 2024, Nevey is tasked with "turning the tide" for WSF's workforce and service. The finite number of vessels, their condition, and the reality of boats breaking down particularly strains the system.
Nevey's Jan. 29 update highlighted how staff quickly repaired different mechanical issues with each of the three Jumbo Mark II ferries, and the immense amount of coordination required to shift boats and adjust service.
The first of three new hybrid-electric ferries won't be delivered until 2030. In the meantime, other solutions are being pitched:
- In December, Gov. Ferguson proposed $1.1 billion to purchase three additional ferries and maintain the three oldest ferries during the multi-year transition.
- Seattle shipyard Stabbert Maritime is making a pitch to refurbish and lease retired ferries back to the state, according reporting by the Washington State Standard.
This funding discussion is one focus of the current Washington State Legislative Session, which began Jan. 12
This "short session" will last up to 60 days (vs. 105 days in odd-numbered years) and is expected to end March 12. Watch for a maritime-focused recap of which items make it through the session and become law.
Aquarium additions
The Vancouver, B.C. Aquarium launched a new permanent exhibit in January called "Amazing Axolotls!" The unique salamander only survives in the wild in Xochimilco in Mexico City, famous for its canals.
Late last year, the Seattle Aquarium welcomed a new sea otter named Ruby. In Tacoma, the Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium named their two-month-old Asian small-clawed otter pup Bao. (Don't miss the pics!)
Fourth annual Quiet Sound slowdown concludes
The 2025-2026 Quiet Sound vessel slowdown ended on Jan. 11. Starting with a pilot in 2022, the fourth season of the annual slowdown and started Sept. 14.
A voluntary initiative, the slowdown encourages commercial vessels to reduce speed thereby reducing underwater noise which impacts the endangered Southern Resident killer whales.
Quiet Sound, a program of Maritime Blue, reported it was the longest slowdown season yet (it starts once SRKWs enter Admiralty Inlet) and that "preliminary data indicates participation was on par with previous seasons.”
Learn more about the program in this 2024 Future Tides article:
Cara Kuhlman
There's also a new slowdown trial starting in March through the ECHO Program, a similar voluntary initiative to reduce the impacts of commercial ships on whales in British Columbia. Their regular slowdown season is June to November.
At our ports
Seattle Port Commissioner Toshiko Grace Hasegawa announced she is running for King County Council. She is in her second term as port commissioner, which would end in 2029.
Tariffs lead to limited job assignments for longshoremen at Port of Seattle. The New York Times reports since August, the monthly drop in shipping container traffic has been in the double digits compared with 2024, with no pre-Christmas rush.
The Port of Bellingham is hiring a new executive director. Previous director Rob Fix departed in June after 13 years. The port will also expand from three to five commissioners this year.
Hospitality group proposes at hotel for Port of Olympia property. The port is soliciting ideas for a 6.5-acre site on Marine Drive after deciding not to develop the property themselves.
Oregon's only shipping container terminal at the Port of Portland will remain open after several years of uncertainty. The state provided $40 million to "stabilize" container service operations.
Around the Sound
- When will Jack Block Park’s long-closed public pier be rebuilt? from West Seattle Blog
- Olympia issues SEPA determination for West Bay Yards project, seeks public input from The JOLT
- Final report available for the Anacortes to San Juans walk-on ferry pilot from San Juan County. (More about the pilot program from Salish Current.)
Notable waterfront property for sale
Marinas:
- Johnny's Dock and Marina in Tacoma
- Summertide Resort and Marina in Tahuya
- Bridgeview Marina in Bremerton
- Marina in La Conner
Industrial:
- Bornstein Seafood Processing & Cold Storage in Bellingham
- Trident Ship Canal Yard in Seattle (Ballard)
What's a nurdle?
Nurdles are tiny plastic pellets, larger than other microplastics, that are polluting beaches and waterways.
They are found all around the country, with substantial amounts reported in Texas and the Great Lakes. The pellets are also numerous on the coast of Oregon, washing in from the Pacific Ocean.
Learn more from Stateline News: Plastic pellets known as ‘nurdles’ are polluting beaches and waterways
