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A fire at Whittier's new $80m cruise dock caused serious damage and took more than 12 hours to put out. No injuries were reported.
According to the Anchorage Daily News, Alaska's fire marshal called the dock a "total loss."
"Multiple fire department agencies fought the blaze with assistance from the US Coast Guard, and we are incredibly grateful for their speedy response," Huna Totem Corp. said in a statement from its Chugach Glacier Gateway team.
"The safety of our guests, partners and the community remains our top priority, and we are working closely with the authorities and all relevant parties to ascertain all facts and understand the full impact of this incident."
The statement continued: "We are still assessing the full extent of the damage to the dock, and we do not yet have enough information to make determinations about repairs and future operations. However, our goal is to be operational for the 2027 season."
Seatrade Cruise News also reached out to Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings for information and will update this story.
Just a couple weeks remain for the 2026 Alaska cruise season.
Huna Totem completed the Chugach Glacier Gateway cruise terminal in late 2024 in a joint venture with NCLH, for use by the ships of Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises.
The double-berth facility is located about 1.5 miles from the Whittier city dock used by Princess Cruises and Holland America Line.
Norwegian Jade was alongside Monday when the blaze broke out but safely departed the area, according to the US Coast Guard, and did not sustain fire damage.
USCG Sector Western Alaska and US Arctic Command Center watchstanders received a report at approximately 11 a.m., Monday of a fire at the terminal and assisted firefighters from Whittier, Girdwood and Anchorage, as did a response boat and crew from Coast Guard Station Valdez.
The tour boat Klondike Express was moored at the pier with no passengers aboard. The vessel sustained fire damage and was safely moved away to help prevent the fire from spreading, USCG said.
According to the Anchorage Fire Department, an engine and three tenders operating in tandem moved 112,000 gallons of water while battling the blaze.
Firefighting operations continued until approximately 12:30 a.m., Tuesday, when local authorities confirmed the blaze was extinguished.
USCG is conducting pollution assessments and a marine casualty investigation.
