2026-07-30 PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 30, 2026

Transformational Shipyard Project Surges Forward Through Landmark Public-Private Alliance in Wrangell.

JAG Marine Group, The Pearlson Group, AIDEA, SEAPA and the City and Borough of Wrangell collaborate to advance a transformational maritime-development project designed to rank among the top 10 facilities of its kind with exceptional capability within the United States.

Wrangell, Alaska - The City and Borough of Wrangell, JAG Marine Group, The Pearlson Group, the Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority (AIDEA) and the Southeast Alaska Power Agency (SEAPA) are advancing a public-private partnership to develop a major shipyard at Wrangell's Deepwater Port.

The partnership reached an important milestone this month when the Borough hosted representatives from each agency, along with Alaska State Representative Jeremy Bynum and other project partners, for a multi-day fly-in focused on the proposed development.

The visit included an in-depth technical and design review, a tour of the proposed shipyard site, strategic planning and financing discussions, and a well-attended community presentation at the Nolan Center. Community members expressed strong support for the project and its potential to create skilled, year-round employment and expand Wrangell's economic base.

"This partnership brings together private-sector experience, technical expertise, reliable energy and public financing tools to transform Wrangell's premier deepwater industrial site into a maritime asset of national significance," said Mason Villarma, Borough Manager for the City and Borough of Wrangell. "The project directly advances Executive Order 14269, Restoring America's Maritime Dominance, by expanding domestic capacity to construct, repair and maintain Coast Guard, defense, other government and commercial vessels. It positions Wrangell to strengthen national security and maritime resilience while creating lasting jobs and transformative economic opportunity for our community and the region at large."

The proposed shipyard would be developedat Wrangell's Deepwater Port, a substantial waterfront industrial property offering direct deepwater access, highway connectivity and proximity to SEAPA's regional electrical infrastructure. Beyond the site itself, Wrangell has the community infrastructure needed to support a development of this scale, including established schools, housing, utilities and transportation systems. The community previously sustained a significantly larger population during the height of its timber industry, demonstrating both the infrastructure and institutional capacity to accommodate new investment, workforce growth and expanded industrial activity.

The project is being designed to accommodate large commercial, defense and government vessels, helping address the critical shortage of shipbuilding, maintenance and repair capacity across Alaska and the Pacific and Arctic maritime regions. The facility could serve the long-term fleet needs of the U.S. Coast Guard and other federal agencies, Alaska's commercial fishing industry, marine transportation providers and a broad range of public and private-sector vessel operators.

"JAG Marine Group sees tremendous potential in Wrangell and in the team that has come together around this project," said Tim Jagielski, Vice President and Co-Founder of JAG Marine Group. "A modern shipyard in Wrangell would help Alaska retain work that currently leaves the state, increase the capacity available to commercial and government fleets, and create lasting opportunities for Alaska workers and businesses. The support demonstrated by the community and project partners gives us confidence in the path ahead."

The Pearlson Group, including Pearlson & Pearlson, Incorporated and Pearlson Shiplift Corporation, is leading the shipyard-planning and design work on behalf of the partnership. Pearlson has a global reputation for delivering large-scale shipyard development projects and holds the position of global leader in shiplift drydocking technology. The team is directing the technical review process and providing the project team with the design analysis needed to advance the facility toward a fully engineered, construction-ready state.

"Wrangell offers a rare combination of deep water, available industrial land, regional power infrastructure and strong community support," said James Fleming, President of Pearlson & Pearlson. "The design and engineering meetings held over the last several months, along with the technical discussions held during the fly-in, have allowed our team to closely examine the overall facility and identify the work necessary to move it from preliminary design toward a fully engineered and construction-ready project. We remain honored to bring our shipyard development and shiplift-technology expertise to this important effort."

AIDEA is working with the project partners to evaluate potential pathways for advancing the remaining design, permitting and site-development work. Wrangell's team is also developing a preliminary capital stack that could include federal and state assistance, AIDEA participation, local investment and substantial private-sector capital.

"AIDEA's role is to help evaluate and advance development opportunities that can strengthen Alaska's economy and attract private investment," said Dave Stieren, Infrastructure Development Officer for AIDEA. "The Wrangell shipyard has the potential to address a significant maritime-infrastructure needs while supporting skilled employment and workforce expansion opportunities that are critical to population retention and growth strategies right here at home. We look forward to continuing our due diligence with the Borough and its private-sector partners."

Reliable and expandable electrical capacity will be essential to the development and long-term operation of the shipyard. SEAPA participated in the fly-in to discuss the project's anticipated power requirements, potential system improvements and opportunities to support a major new regional industrial customer.

"SEAPA recognizes the importance of reliable, competitively priced hydroelectric power to Southeast Alaska's economic future," said Robert Siedman, P.E., Chief Executive Officer of SEAPA. "The proposed shipyard represents an opportunity to put regional energy infrastructure to work supporting new industry, year-round employment and essential maritime services. SEAPA is pleased to participate in these early planning discussions and help the project team evaluate its long-term electrical needs."

Representative Bynum joined the site visit and planning discussions and expressed support for continued collaboration among the state, community and private-sector partners.

"Alaska needs additional shipbuilding and vessel-repair capacity, particularly as maritime activity and national-security responsibilities continue to grow in our state," said Representative Jeremy Bynum, Alaska House District 1. "This project could create meaningful jobs in Wrangell while strengthening the maritime economy of Southeast Alaska and the entire state. I am encouraged by the level of private investment being considered and by the coordinated approach the partners are taking to move the project forward."

The City and Borough of Wrangell submitted a grant application to the U.S. Economic Development Administration to support foundational site development at the Deepwater Port earlier this year While the application remains under review, the Borough is coordinating with its state, federal, regional and private-sector partners to advocate for the project and identify complementary funding sources.

"The State of Alaska has an important role to play in supporting infrastructure that enables private investment and long-term economic growth," Villarma said. "As national concern grows over the country's shortage of shipbuilding and vessel-repair capacity, Wrangell stands apart as one of the few projects positioned to advance immediately. Our objective is to complete the remaining engineering, geotechnical analysis and permitting needed to reach 100% design making the project truly construction-ready . Every partner at the table understands the urgency of the need and the importance of maintaining momentum to bring this yard online as quickly as possible."

The proposed Wrangell Shipyard is expected to support a broad range of maritime activities, including vessel construction, repair, maintenance, modernization and industrial fabrication. In addition to direct shipyard employment, the development would generate opportunities in construction, transportation, logistics, professional services, housing, hospitality and other supporting industries. The Borough is releasing a new project animation alongside this press release to clearly illustrate the proposed investment and how it will function.

"This partnership demonstrates what can be accomplished when a community, state agencies, regional utilities and experienced private companies align around a shared economic vision," Villarma said. "We appreciate the overwhelming support shown by the Wrangell community and look forward to keeping the public informed as the project advances."

About the City and Borough of Wrangell

The City and Borough of Wrangell is a unified home-rule municipality located in Southeast Alaska. Wrangell is pursuing strategic waterfront, transportation, energy and maritime investments intended to strengthen its economy, create year-round employment and support the long-term needs of residents, businesses and regional industries.

About JAG Marine Group

JAG Marine Group provides marine construction, vessel repair, fabrication and shipyard services. The company brings extensive operational experience and private-sector expertise to the planning and proposed development of the Wrangell Shipyard.

About The Pearlson Group

The Pearlson Group is the global leader in shiplift drydocking technology and the recognized authority in large-scale shipyard planning, design, modernization and infrastructure optimization. With a global reputation for delivering complex maritime facility projects, Pearlson's team brings deep technical expertise across shiplift and vessel-transfer systems, facility design and construction-readiness planning for defense, commercial and government shipyards worldwide.

About AIDEA

The Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority is a public corporation of the State of Alaska. AIDEA promotes economic growth and diversification by providing financing and investment tools for industrial, infrastructure and business-development projects.

About SEAPA

The Southeast Alaska Power Agency is a joint-action agency that owns and operates the Swan Lake and Tyee Lake hydroelectric projects and the interconnected transmission system serving Ketchikan, Petersburg and Wrangell.

For more information, please contact:

(907) 874-2381

Office of the Borough Manager

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