From the Sequim Gazette, in Washington State, USA, today:

Washington’s ferry system is in jeopardy. It is struggling to meet the demands of its routes, and officials say it may be three to four years before any new ferry can go into service.

Currently, 19 ferries serve the island communities of Washington, but the state needs 26 boats to fully fill the sailing schedule.

While some are blaming a switch to electric boats for the delay in getting new vessels built, the problems go back nearly 25 years.

In 1999, voters approved Initiative 695, which repealed the state’s motor vehicle excise tax. After the state Supreme Court found that unconstitutional, the Legislature stepped in to cut the tax, eliminating a major funding source for Washington State Ferries (WSF).

As a result, from 2000-2010, no new boats were built when the state should have been making a boat a year, said Ian Sterling, WSF Director of Communications.

No new ferries were built until 2010, after the state was forced to pull the aging steel electric class ferries from service after cracks were found in their hulls. Three 750 passenger ferries were added to the fleet in 2010 and 2011. Since then, four new boats were added.

https://www.sequimgazette.com/news/new-ferries-to-bolster-fleet-still-years-away/

Between, 2000 and 2010, 10 CalMac ferries were launched. Since then a further 7 have been launched and 6 are expected this year and next.