The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities has sent out invitations to bid on the construction of the new ferry, with bids expected within 90 days. Bids will be evaluated; contracts awarded and Notice to Proceed will be issued in April 2026. The new TUSTUMENA will be built at a US shipyard and be fitted out with as much US designed and built equipment as possible, with the construction time expected to take 30 months to complete.

The existing 4,529 GT TUSTUMENA was built in 1964 and serves the Alaskan communities of South Central, Kodiak Island and South Alaska. One of two Ocean-class vessels in the AMHS fleet, the 90m x 17m ferry is the only vessel in the fleet capable of servicing all 13 ports of call between Horner and Unalaska.

TUSTUMENA can carry 211 passengers and 36 vehicles and has a service speed of 13.3 knots.

The new TUSTUMENA will offer greater capacity, modern safety features, improved seaworthiness and enhanced passenger comfort. The new ferry's principal particulars are:

Length o.a: 100.6m
Depth: 7.5m
Breadth: 22.56m
Design draft: 5.03m
Air draft: 27.43m
Passenger capacity: 250 (114 in berths)
Vehicle capacity: 26 cars and 16 vans, or 58 cars only
Propulsion: Battery hybrid with two stern azimuthing thrusters and a lithium-ion battery system. Two 850 kW bow thrusters
Service speed: 15 knots
Fitted with fin stabilisers
Will be SOLAS Safe Return to Port (SRtP) compliant

The new ferry will feature the same vehicle loading and discharge system as the current TUSTUMENA, albeit a modern version, allowing for stern access and side access on both port and starboard sides.

Classed by ABS and designed by Seattle-based naval architects Glosten, the new TUSTUMENA will have draft limitations due to its operational environment and freeboard limitations due to the dock heights in the communities that it will serve.