All American Marine, Bellingham, Wash., is building a second high-speed passenger vessel for Phillips Cruises & Tours, Anchorage, Alaska, expanding on the design of the Chugach Express delivered in 2025.
The new 84.5'x30.7' aluminum catamaran will operate daily in Prince William Sound and be homeported in Whittier, Alaska. Like its sister ship, the vessel was developed by Nic de Waal of Teknicraft Design and features a semi-displacement catamaran hull.
The propulsion package includes four MJP 350X waterjets powered by four Scania DI16 082M engines, each rated at 800 mhp. The vessel will be constructed to U.S. Coast Guard Subchapter T standards and carry up to 150 passengers. A 1,600-gals. fuel capacity is intended to support extended daily operations.
According to the shipyard, the design incorporates Teknicraft’s hydrofoil-assisted hull form, including a wave-piercing bow and dynamic aluminum hydrofoil system. The yard states the system is intended to enhance stability, reduce drag, and lower power demand at service speed, with the goal of improving fuel efficiency and ride quality in variable sea conditions.
The vessel will feature enclosed seating across two decks, large viewing windows, and exterior viewing areas. Interior arrangements include table seating and accessibility accommodations on the main deck. It is intended to support high-frequency seasonal operations in Prince William Sound.
“After seeing how the Chugach Express performs in real-world service, moving forward with a sister ship felt like a very natural next step,” said Casey Neumann, managing partner of Phillips Cruises & Tours. “The vessel has truly exceeded our expectations, from ride quality and speed to fuel efficiency and the overall guest experience. Working with All American Marine and Teknicraft has been seamless, and we’re excited to add another vessel of this caliber to our fleet.”
“At All American Marine, we take great pride in building vessels that operators consistently choose time and again,” said Ron Wille, president & COO of All American Marine. “The success of the Chugach Express is a direct result of close collaboration, proven Teknicraft hull technology, and a propulsion package that delivers both performance and efficiency. We’re proud to continue our partnership with Phillips Cruises & Tours by delivering a sister ship that builds on that success and supports their operation for years to come.”
