Foss Maritime Permanently Closes Seattle Shipyard

Seattle-based Foss Maritime has announced “with deep regret” the permanent closer of its Seattle shipyard in North Queen Anne.

The permanent closure is effective as of October 30, 2021, and all operations have ceased at the yard.

“The difficult decision is a result of Foss Maritime’s regular evaluation of business lines and follows the company’s diligent effort to improve the viability of the Seattle shipyard over many years,” the company said in a statement.

The shipyard, located on the Lake Washington Ship Canal, offered full-service vessel repair and maintenance, as well as new ship construction. It included three dry docks, the largest capable of handling ships up to 2,000 tons, plus cranes, lifts and other equipment.

“While the closure of the Seattle shipyard is a strategic decision for the future of Foss, it is not a decision we have taken lightly,” said Will Roberts, President of Foss Maritime. “We have employees and families who have been with us for decades; our priority is assisting them in this transition.”

Shipyard employees will continue to receive salary, benefits, and an average of overtime wages through the end of the year, the company said.

Moving forward, Foss says it will utilize its other Pacific Northwest shipyard operations to meet its fleet maintenance and repair needs, the company said.

The Seattle Times reports that the closure will impact about 115 people who were employed at the yard as of September.

The closure of Foss’ Seattle shipyard comes about 3 years after it closed its Rainier Shipyard in Oregon.

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