Arctic Directory: Alaska Ship & Drydock hard at work in new facility

Alaska Ship & Drydock, a Vigor Industrial company, said Aug. 16 that the outlook for building new ships just got a lot brighter, warmer, and drier with the opening of the Ketchikan Shipyard’s state-of-the-art assembly hall designed to build ships up to 500 feet in length. The assembly hall is 70,000 square feet with an adjacent five-story production center to minimize material flow and maximize efficiency. It features all the best assets of a modern, advanced shipbuilding infrastructure.

“The new assembly hall positions the Ketchikan Shipyard to be very competitive for emerging shipbuilding opportunities in Alaska,” said Adam Beck, president, Alaska Ship & Drydock. “Its strategic position coupled with the exceptional expertise of ASD’s skilled workforce in meeting the needs of Arctic and north-water mariners, makes ASD an important part of Vigor’s ongoing growth plans.”

ASD has been building modules for Alaska Longline Co.’s 136 by 40 foot new factory longliner, Arctic Prowler, since March of 2012. In August, the engine room module of Arctic Prowler was moved into the new hall, marking the hall’s official opening. The engine room module measures 32 feet in length by 40 feet wide by 17 feet high and weighs 95 tons. ASD teams are currently outfitting it and other pieces of the hull with wiring, piping, machinery, and equipment. The completed vessel is scheduled for delivery in early 2013.