Foss Maritime permanently closes North Queen Anne shipyard

SEATTLE — Foss Maritime made the announcement with “deep regret.” According to a release, Foss Maritime had evaluated its business lines, despite improving the viability of the shipyard over numerous years.

“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.”

As of September, Foss Maritime was employing 115 people.

According to the Seattle Times, Foss Maritime, which is a unit of the Seattle-based maritime and logistics conglomerate Saltchuk, operates a large tug fleet along the West Coast, Houston and Mobile, Alabama.

The release stated that employees will continue to receive their salaries, benefits and an average of overtime pay through the end of 2021.

“Moving forward, Foss will utilize other Pacific Northwest shipyard operations to meet its fleet maintenance and repair needs.”