A New “Green” Cape May Lewes Ferry Vessel Is Coming

A New “Green” Cape May Lewes Ferry Vessel Is Coming

A major upgrade is coming to one of the most iconic transportation links in South Jersey.

The Delaware River and Bay Authority has officially awarded a contract to begin building a brand new diesel hybrid ferry that will join the Cape May Lewes Ferry fleet in 2028.

The approval moves the project one big step closer to reality and marks the beginning of the next generation for the fifty nine year old ferry service that connects Cape May, New Jersey and Lewes, Delaware.

A Seventy Eight Million Dollar Investment In A Cleaner Future

The DRBA Commission unanimously approved a contract with SENESCO Marine of North Kingstown, Rhode Island to construct and outfit the new 75 car passenger and vehicle ferry. The winning bid came in at seventy eight point six million dollars.

Once the vessel is complete, it will replace the MV Cape Henlopen, a more than forty year old ferry that has served the route for decades. DRBA Executive Director Joel Coppadge said that upgrading the fleet is essential to keep the historic ferry running smoothly for generations to come.

“For sustainable ferry operations in the future, it’s imperative we make this necessary capital investment today,” Coppadge said. “The Ferry is a critical piece of regional infrastructure and we’re proud of the Ferry’s heritage and link between two historic destinations.”

The MV Cape Henlopen started off as MV New Del and was purchased in 1981.

What The New Hybrid Ferry Will Do For The Environment

The new ferry is designed to sharply reduce emissions both at sea and while docked in Cape May and Lewes. Its hybrid and all electric operations are expected to cut:

• Two thousand twenty five tons of carbon dioxide per year
• One hundred two point seven tons of nitrogen dioxide
• One point five one tons of fine particulate matter
• One point zero three tons of hydrocarbons
• Five tons of carbon monoxide

On top of that, the new engines will reduce fuel consumption by an estimated thirty five percent, lowering long term operating costs.

Why This Matters For Cape May And Lewes

For locals and visitors who depend on the year round service, this upgrade is more than a new boat. It is an investment in the economies of both sides of the Delaware Bay.

Heath Gehrke, Director of Ferry Operations, stressed that hundreds of thousands rely on the ferry not just for vacations, but for work and family travel.

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“By moving forward with our vessel modernization effort, we’re ensuring that future generations will continue to enjoy a break from the ordinary aboard the Cape May Lewes Ferry,” Gehrke said.

Project Timeline And Funding

The seventy eight point six million dollar price tag is partially offset by a twenty million dollar U.S. Department of Transportation grant.

The contract is now in the mandatory ten day review period for the governors of New Jersey and Delaware. Once cleared, construction is scheduled to begin early next year, with completion expected in the summer of 2029.

The ferry should officially enter service the year before, in 2028.

The Ferry’s Longstanding Role In South Jersey Tourism

Since first launching in 1964, the Cape May Lewes Ferry has carried more than fifty million passengers and has become a major contributor to tourism in both states. Its operations support more than four thousand jobs and generate hundreds of millions of dollars in regional economic activity.

For schedules and fares, visit CMLF.com.