Proposed winter ferry schedule would leave Cordova without service for about five months

CORDOVA, Alaska — A proposed Alaska Marine Highway System winter schedule would leave Cordova without scheduled ferry service for about five months, from October 1, 2026, through March 5, 2027.

The draft schedule covers regional sailings from October 1, 2026, through April 30, 2027. It assigns the M/V Aurora to overhaul from October 1 through March 5, then places the vessel in Prince William Sound service beginning March 6. The schedule remains a proposal and is not a final decision.

Why the proposed schedule shows a gap

AMHS said the Aurora overhaul follows the discovery of extensive wasted steel during maintenance. The agency also cited vessel availability, fiscal year 2027 funding, regulatory requirements and passenger and crew safety as factors in developing the proposed operating plan.

AMHS lists Cordova as a scheduled South Central route community connected with Whittier. Its route guide gives the Whittier-to-Cordova sailing time as about 6 hours and 45 minutes. Under the draft, that listed AMHS connection would not operate during the proposed October 1-to-March 5 overhaul period.

Potential effects in Cordova

The proposed gap could complicate travel for Cordova residents, students and businesses. KMXT reported that Alaska lawmakers Gary Stevens and Louise Stutes warned state transportation officials that the lack of reliable winter ferry service could force the Cordova School District to cancel dozens of academic and athletic trips.

The lawmakers also warned that local small businesses could suffer. Those are attributed concerns and projected consequences. The available reporting does not establish that school trips have already been canceled or that business losses have already occurred.

The ferry is also a scheduled marine connection between Cordova and Whittier for residents and freight users. The proposed schedule does not establish that Cordova would lose all transportation alternatives, but it would remove the listed AMHS service during the proposed gap.

Public review has passed

AMHS requested written comments by 5 p.m. Alaska time on July 22, 2026. The agency held virtual public meetings on July 23, including a Southcentral Alaska schedule review at 11 a.m. Alaska time, to hear community feedback and consider adjustments.

AMHS said the department would work to contract supplemental service if necessary to mitigate service disruptions. That statement is not an approval, funding commitment or finalized sailing schedule.

What remains unknown

The reviewed record does not establish the final winter schedule, any replacement sailings or whether Cordova service will be restored or modified before winter. Residents, schools, freight users and businesses should watch for an AMHS schedule revision or a specific supplemental-service announcement.

Sources

• Alaska DOT&PF and AMHS seek public review of winter 2026-27 ferry schedule
• KMXT report on the proposed Cordova service gap