Ketchikan Shipyard
PROJECT FACT SHEET
VIDEO OF NOAA VESSEL TRANSFER
RECENT PRESS RELEASES
Location
Ketchikan, Alaska
Partners
Land Owner: Ketchikan Gateway Borough & City of Ketchikan
Lessee: AIDEA
Jobs
- During Vigor’s final operating period (pre‑2025): approximately 97 employees.
- Mid‑2025 (wind‑down): workforce decreased to ~18 employees as Vigor demobilized.
- Under JAG (late 2025–early 2026): dozens of positions restored, with active hiring as new contracts come online.
Economic Benefits
- 2014–2024: Vigor contributed $3,343,113 to AIDEA and $133,389,676 to the local economy.
- $80.1 million in federal and state funds invested.
- Under JAG, business volume and job opportunities rising.
Project Description
The Ketchikan Shipyard, now operated by JAG, Ketchikan, is located in Ketchikan, Alaska, and is adjacent to the Alaska Marine Highway System (AMHS) ferry facility. The shipyard consists of approximately 25.27 acres of real property, various buildings, vessel hall capacity, fixtures and improvements, floating drydocks (10,000 ton and 2,500-ton lift capacity), various fabrication equipment and tools and other personal property.
The Department of Transportation & Public Facilities (DOT&PF) spent approximately $30 million to construct the shipyard during the 1980s. The KSY/VA provides maintenance for of providing maintenance for the AMHS. Under an agreement with the State of Alaska, the City of Ketchikan subleased operation and management of the shipyard to private contractors.
In 1997, AIDEA acquired the title to and ownership of the Ketchikan Shipyard and entered into an agreement with Alaska Ship & Drydock (AS&D) for the operation of the shipyard. Vigor Industrial purchased the shipyard operator (AS&D) in March 2012. The following year, AS&D changed their name to Vigor Alaska. In 2025 AIDEA entered into an agreement with JAG Marine Group to take over operations of the shipyard. Under JAG, business volume and job opportunities are rapidly rising.
Workforce Development
January 13, 2026 Workforce Development MOU establishes training‑to‑employment pipeline with Generations Southeast, Tlingit & Haida, Sealaska, and State of Alaska support.
Support
Support primarily comes from Vigor Alaska, Ketchikan Gateway Borough, the City of Ketchikan, Ketchikan Public Utilities, and the Alaska Marine Highway System.
Current Status
Under JAG, jobs have increased by roughly 1000% from 15 at day of takeover to roughly 150 now. Business volume is expected to increase exponentially with bookings already set for 2026. JAG / AIDEA has also entered into an MOU to increase local hire / persons being hired who are residents of the region by working with Generations Southeast, a workforce training operation financed by the Central Council of Tlingit Haida Indian Tribes, Sealaska, and others.
History of Asset and Operating Agreement:
- 1997: AIDEA acquires shipyard.
- 2012: Vigor assumes operations.
- 2015: Vigor’s agreement extended to November 30, 2025.
- Feb 28, 2025: AIDEA rejects extension.
- July 2025: Tentative agreement for transfer to JAG.
- September 19, 2025: JAG becomes operator.
Current Operational Update
Workload & Contracts
Financials
$80.1 million* in Federal and State funds expended for construction, upgrades, deferred maintenance, and other improvements.
*Numbers reported from Vigor's 2021 Annual Operations and Performance Report received July 2022.