Government of Yukon works with Municipality of Skagway to advance Marine Services Platform Dock to support mineral exports

The Government of Yukon is working with the Municipality of Skagway to advance the next phase of the Marine Services Platform Dock in Skagway, Alaska – a key step toward securing long-term port access for the Yukon’s mining sector.

Following a visit by Minister of Economic Development Ranj Pillai on August 21, the Municipality of Skagway has approved a proposal to renew essential environmental permits for the project. The Government of Yukon will fund this permitting process through a US $120,037 transfer payment agreement with the municipality.

These permits – required by U.S. federal law – must be renewed before the project can proceed to construction and include:

1. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Section 10 Permit;
2. Marine Mammal Protection Act – Incidental Harassment Authorization; and
3. Endangered Species Act – Biological Assessment.

Next steps include completing the U.S. environmental permitting process, which is expected to take 18 to 24 months, and finalizing a binding Export Cooperation Agreement with Skagway. Under the proposed terms, the Government of Yukon would fund construction of the new dock in exchange for long-term, preferential access and reduced shipping costs for Yukon-based mineral exporters.

The Port of Skagway remains the closest and most practical tidewater access for many Yukon mining projects. Investing in its future capacity is a strategic step to support the Yukon’s economy and maintain global market access for critical minerals.

This targeted investment supports a cross-border solution to infrastructure challenges, strengthens the territory’s competitiveness and lays the groundwork for future growth in the resource sector.