Alaska again seeks American shipyards to build new oceangoing Tustumena replacement ferry

By: James Brooks

Outlets: Alaska Beacon

Published: February 2, 2026

Words: 578

Last Updated: 3 weeks, 5 days ago

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After more than a decade of planning, design and false starts, the state of Alaska is once more attempting to build its first new mainline ferry in decades.

On Jan. 23, the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities began advertising for shipyards interested in building a replacement for the Tustumena, which sails between Homer, Kodiak and Unalaska on the longest, most remote state ferry route in the United States.

The new ship must …

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