Tustumena Replacement Vessel
The MV Tustumena was built in 1964 and serves the communities of South Central, Kodiak Island and Southwest Alaska. It is one of two ocean class vessels in the Alaska Marine Highway System (AMHS) fleet. Because of its size and design, it is the only AMHS vessel that is capable of serving all 13 ports of call between Homer and Unalaska. MV Tustumena is 296 feet long and 59 feet wide, with a domestic gross tonnage of 2,174 and a service speed of 13.3 knots.
Project Overview
Retiring and replacing the M/V Tustumena with a vessel that provides greater capacity, modernized safety features, increased seaworthiness, and enhanced passenger comfort will ensure reliable marine transportation service well into the future for the communities, residents and businesses in South Central, Kodiak Island and Southwest Alaska.
Project FAQ
What are the characteristics and capacities of the TRV?| Length Over All (LOA) | 330 Feet |
| Depth | 24.6 Feet |
| Breadth Over All (BOA) | 74 Feet |
| Design Draft | 15' - 10" to 16' - 6" (End of Service Life) |
| Air Draft | 90 Feet |
| Cruise / Service Speed | 15 Knots |
| Vans & Cars | 14 Vans & 26 Cars |
| Cars Only | 58 |
| Vehicle Loading Ability | Stern & Side (Port & Starboard), Vehicle Elevator |
| Vehicle Lane Length | 1,220 Feet |
| Passengers | 250 (Berths for 124) |
The replacement vessel design is highly-constrained and includes:
- USCG/ABS - Ocean Certified
- Overnight Accommodations for 250 passengers
- An 80,000 lb. capacity vehicle elevator (52'L x 17'W)
- Draft limitations due to the operating environment
- Freeboard limitations due to the dock heights in the communities it serves
- Stabilizer fins
- Large bow thrusters (2x850 kW)
Construction Manager/General Contractor (CMGC) Procurement Method
The State of Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities Marine Highway System determined in mid-2018 that the Construction Management/General Contractor (CMGC) project delivery method is the best approach to use to construct the Tustumena Replacement Vessel. CMGC will allow the selected shipbuilder to assist the AMHS by providing verification of the final design, assisting in locating domestic sources for components, consulting on ways to minimize operations and maintenance costs, considering innovative materials and methods, and constructing the vessel in a manner that minimizes impacts, reduces risks, and provides cost savings through efficient scheduling and use of construction materials.