Cape May-Lewes Ferry To Get New Vessel In The Near Future

Over the last 60 years, the Cape May-Lewes Ferry has transported different types of commuters across the Delaware Bay between the two states.

For many Delaware and New Jersey residents, the Delaware Memorial Bridge is far out of the way compared to the convience offered by the Cape May-Lewes Ferry.  The current fleet of five vessels has been in operation since the mid-to-late 1990s.

For the first time in almost 30 years, a new vessel will be added to the CMLF Fleet to replace the ferry with the oldest engine thanks to a United States Department of Transportation grant.

Details On The Cape May-Lewes Ferry Modernization Plan

The Delaware River and Bay Authority (DRBA) announced that it is receiving a $20 million grant to upgrade the Cape May-Lewes Ferry Fleet. The funding from the US Department of Transportation will be used to construct a new diesel-hybrid ferry vessel.

The DBRA plan is for the new ferry to replace the MV Cape Henlopen, which has a diesel engine that is over 40 years old. The newer Hybrid-Diesel Vessel operates with lower emissions and produces zero emissions while docked.

The new engines reduce fuel consumption by 35 percent which means the new Hybrid-Diesel Ferry will save money on fuel costs long term as well. The current plan is for the new vessel to join the Cape May-Lewes Ferry Fleet for the Summer of 2027.

The MV Cape Henlopen is not the oldest vessel of the Cape May-Lewes Ferry Fleet, but has the oldest engine. The long-term plan is to replace the entire fleet with Hybrid-Diesel Ferries but that total price will cost hundreds of millions of dollars.

The Delaware River and Bay Authority does not get regular or surplus funding from the Federal Government or State Agencies. As a result, the DRBA uses the money generated from the Cape May-Lewes Ferry each year to cover operating costs for the ferries and two terminals.

In order to replace the entire Cape May-Lewes Ferry Fleet, the DRBA will need government grants and independent funding to offset the costs. A new Hybrid-Diesel Ferry costs approximately $74 million to buid, so the DRBA would need almost $300 Million to replace the other four vessels.

The Cape May-Lewes Ferry Terminal is a short drive from the City of Cape May.  One of the most popular vacation destinations in the United States for the last 200 years, here are some of the top reasons why people love to visit Cape May: