Application and Approval

All commercial vehicles and their drivers must be registered and approved before accessing designated commercial, operator, passenger loading, drop-off, or restricted vehicle areas at Port of Ward Cove.

The Parking & Access Application may require company information, registered business name, DBA, address, primary contact, authorized representative, email address, phone number, vehicle information, driver information, insurance documents, registration documents, requested permit type, and intended use.

The person submitting the application represents that they are authorized to submit the application and bind the applicant, business, vehicle owner, drivers, employees, agents, contractors, and anyone operating under the permit.

Submitting an application does not guarantee approval. Port of Ward Cove may approve, deny, limit, condition, suspend, revoke, or decline to renew any permit based on safety, passenger movement, cruise operations, traffic flow, available space, insurance requirements, incomplete information, prior noncompliance, property operations, tenant operations, maintenance, construction, or Port of Ward Cove's business interests.

Application approval and payment information may be sent to the primary contact listed on the application. The applicant is responsible for ensuring that all application information is accurate and current.

Permit Fees, Renewals, and Refunds

Permit fees must be paid before a permit is valid unless Port of Ward Cove agrees otherwise in writing. Permit fees, rates, permit categories, and permit periods may be changed by Port of Ward Cove at any time.

Unless Port of Ward Cove agrees otherwise in writing, permit fees are non-refundable, including if a permit is denied, limited, suspended, revoked, unused, partially used, affected by ship cancellations, affected by weather, affected by maintenance closures, or not renewed due to applicant or permit holder conduct.

Weekly and monthly parking permits expire at the end of their stated permit period unless renewed and approved. Cruise Operator Permits apply only to the approved 2026 cruise season and only for the approved commercial guest transport purpose.

Vehicle-Specific and Non-Transferable Permits

Permits are issued only to the approved applicant, business, vehicle, license plate, permit type, and purpose. A permit may not be sold, assigned, transferred, shared, loaned, copied, altered, duplicated, or used for any unapproved vehicle, business, driver, or activity.

If a vehicle is replaced, repaired, sold, rented, borrowed, or otherwise changed, the permit holder must obtain approval from Port of Ward Cove before using a substitute vehicle. Port of Ward Cove may require updated vehicle information, registration, insurance, and permit documentation before approving a substitute vehicle.

Misuse of a permit may result in immediate denial of entry, suspension, revocation, towing, removal, and denial of future permits.

Permit Display and Documentation

Permits must be displayed in the manner required by Port of Ward Cove. Port of Ward Cove may require a windshield display, dashboard display, decal, hang tag, QR code, digital verification, license plate verification, or other display method.

A vehicle may be denied entry or treated as unauthorized if the permit is not properly displayed, is expired, is unreadable, is altered, does not match the vehicle, or is being used outside the approved permit scope.

Permit holders must keep required documentation available upon request, including vehicle registration, proof of insurance, driver identification, permit approval, and any other documentation required by Port of Ward Cove.

Authorized Areas, Routes, and Maps

Permitted vehicles may use only the parking areas, routes, loading zones, drop-off zones, staging areas, roads, and access points designated or approved by Port of Ward Cove. Approval may be shown on a map, sign, permit, email, written instruction, verbal instruction, or direction from Port of Ward Cove staff or traffic control personnel.

A permit does not authorize unrestricted access to Port of Ward Cove property. Permit holders may not enter restricted, closed, construction, industrial, utility, dock, tenant-only, employee-only, emergency, or private areas unless specifically authorized.

Signs, cones, barricades, gates, staff instructions, traffic control personnel, security instructions, emergency instructions, and actual site conditions control over any map, permit description, or prior direction.

Visitor Parking and Non-Operator Parking

Designated visitor or non-operator parking is for approved daytime parking only. Visitor parking and non-operator parking may not be used for commercial staging, passenger solicitation, guest transport operations, ticket sales, employee parking unless approved, vehicle storage, overnight parking, long-term parking, or access to the Operator Loading & Drop-off Zone.

Weekly and monthly parking permits authorize parking only in designated non-operator parking areas and only during the approved permit period. These permits do not authorize commercial passenger pickup, passenger drop-off, tour operations, or access to restricted areas.

Operator, Bus, Shuttle, Taxi, and Guest Transport Rules

Operator Permits and other guest transport authorizations are limited to approved guest transport activity in designated areas. Operators may use only the routes, entry points, loading areas, and drop-off areas assigned by Port of Ward Cove.

Unless Port of Ward Cove gives prior written approval, operators may not:

1. Park on-grounds outside approved loading or drop-off activity;
2. Use visitor parking for commercial operations;
3. Stage, queue, wait, or idle outside designated areas;
4. Arrive outside the assigned access window;
5. Load or unload passengers outside designated areas;
6. Sell tickets on property;
7. Solicit passengers;
8. Distribute flyers or promotional materials;
9. Use unauthorized signs, banners, sandwich boards, megaphones, speakers, amplified sound, or advertising displays;
10. Block roads, walkways, tenant entrances, fire lanes, passenger flow, buses, shuttles, or emergency access;
11. Interfere with Port of Ward Cove operations, tenants, vendors, staff, passengers, cruise operations, or other permitted users; or
12. Operate on non-cruise ship operating days unless separately approved.

Operators may enter only during their assigned access window or as directed by Port of Ward Cove. If a cruise ship, tour, guest group, or transportation schedule changes, the operator must follow Port of Ward Cove staff instructions and may not assume that prior access times or loading areas remain available.

Driver and Vehicle Safety

All drivers must operate safely, professionally, and in compliance with applicable law, posted signs, staff directions, and these Terms. Drivers must yield to pedestrians, operate at safe speeds, avoid distractions, and follow all traffic control instructions.

Unless otherwise posted, vehicles must not exceed 5 mph in pedestrian areas, parking areas, loading areas, drop-off areas, congested areas, or any area where passengers or visitors may be present. Port of Ward Cove may require lower speeds or temporary traffic controls at any time.

Drivers may not operate a vehicle while impaired, distracted, unsafe, unlicensed, uninsured, or otherwise unqualified. Drivers may not use phones or electronic devices while operating a vehicle except as permitted by law and only when safe.

Vehicles must be properly registered, insured, maintained, and safe to operate. Port of Ward Cove may deny entry to any vehicle that appears unsafe, leaking, overloaded, improperly marked, improperly permitted, excessively noisy, noncompliant, or unsuitable for property conditions.

Prohibited Conduct and Items

The following are prohibited unless Port of Ward Cove gives written authorization:

1. Illegal drugs or operating under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or impairing substances;
2. Fireworks, explosives, hazardous materials, firearms, or weapons;
3. Animals, except service animals where required by law;
4. Unauthorized drones or aircraft;
5. Littering, dumping, or improper disposal of trash, oil, fuel, sewage, gray water, chemicals, or other materials;
6. Disorderly conduct, harassment, threats, obscene language, excessive noise, loud music, or interference with guests, staff, tenants, operators, or visitors;
7. Unauthorized vending, solicitation, ticket sales, advertising, signs, flyers, or commercial activity;
8. Overnight parking, camping, vehicle storage, trailer storage, or remaining after approved hours;
9. Unauthorized maintenance, fueling, washing, repairs, or vehicle servicing on property;
10. Damage, destruction, removal, alteration, or misuse of natural features, signs, roads, cones, gates, barricades, buildings, boardwalks, landscaping, utilities, historic features, tenant property, or other property;
11. Blocking or obstructing roads, walkways, fire lanes, emergency access, tenant entrances, passenger loading areas, or vehicle movement;
12. Entry into restricted, closed, construction, industrial, dock, utility, employee-only, tenant-only, or unauthorized areas; and
13. Any conduct that Port of Ward Cove determines may affect safety, passenger movement, traffic, operations, property, tenants, visitors, or reputation.

Overnight Parking, Vehicle Storage, and Abandoned Vehicles

Overnight parking, vehicle storage, trailers, equipment storage, and unattended vehicles are prohibited unless approved in writing by Port of Ward Cove.

Vehicles left beyond the approved permit period, left overnight without approval, abandoned, improperly parked, expired, unauthorized, unsafe, blocking access, or interfering with operations may be removed, relocated, booted, or towed at the vehicle owner's and permit holder's expense, subject to applicable law.

Damage, Cleanup, Spills, and Environmental Responsibility

The applicant, permit holder, vehicle owner, and operator are responsible for all damage, cleanup, spills, leaks, environmental response, repairs, replacement costs, administrative costs, professional fees, attorney fees, and other costs arising from their vehicles, drivers, employees, agents, contractors, passengers, invitees, or operations.

This includes damage to roads, signs, gates, cones, barricades, curbs, sidewalks, boardwalks, utilities, landscaping, buildings, parking areas, loading areas, tenant property, vehicles, equipment, or any other property.

All oil, fuel, hydraulic fluid, coolant, chemical, sewage, gray water, trash, or hazardous material spills or leaks must be reported immediately to Port of Ward Cove. The responsible party must cooperate with cleanup, response, investigation, documentation, repair, and reimbursement requirements.

Incident Reporting

All accidents, injuries, near misses, property damage, spills, leaks, passenger incidents, unsafe conditions, blocked access, law enforcement contacts, or emergency events occurring on or related to Port of Ward Cove property must be reported immediately to Port of Ward Cove staff.

Permit holders must cooperate with incident review, provide requested information, preserve relevant documents or recordings when available, and assist with insurance, safety, legal, or operational follow-up.

Incident Contact: 907-228-2431 or info@akports.com

Insurance Requirements

Commercial operators, transportation providers, vendors, contractors, and other businesses may be required to maintain insurance coverage acceptable to Port of Ward Cove as a condition of permit approval and continued access.

Unless Port of Ward Cove approves different limits in writing, commercial permit holders should expect to provide:

• Commercial General Liability insurance with limits of at least $1,000,000 per occurrence and $2,000,000 aggregate;
• Commercial Auto Liability insurance with limits of at least $1,000,000 combined single limit;
• Workers' Compensation insurance as required by Alaska law;
• Any additional insurance required based on vehicle type, passenger capacity, activity, risk, or contractual relationship; and
• A Certificate of Insurance naming Alaska Port Innovations LLC d/b/a Port of Ward Cove as an additional insured where required by Port of Ward Cove.

Port of Ward Cove may require updated certificates, endorsements, policy information, or proof of coverage at any time. Failure to provide or maintain required insurance may result in denial, suspension, or revocation of a permit.

Towing, Removal, Suspension, and Revocation

Port of Ward Cove may deny entry, restrict access, suspend a permit, revoke a permit, decline renewal, remove a vehicle, relocate a vehicle, boot a vehicle, tow a vehicle, or take other enforcement action if Port of Ward Cove determines that a vehicle, driver, applicant, permit holder, business, or operator has violated these Terms or may affect safety, passenger flow, traffic, cruise operations, tenant operations, property operations, insurance compliance, or Port of Ward Cove's business interests.

Notice of suspension or revocation may be given verbally, by email, by written notice, by staff instruction, by denial of entry, or by other reasonable means. Upon suspension or revocation, the permit holder must immediately stop using the permit and must remove vehicles from Port of Ward Cove property as directed.

Port of Ward Cove may deny future permit applications based on prior violations, unsafe conduct, unpaid fees, unpaid damage claims, incomplete information, false information, insurance issues, or operational concerns.

Release, Indemnity, Defense, and Hold Harmless

To the fullest extent permitted by law, the applicant, permit holder, vehicle owner, business, and operator agree to release, indemnify, defend, and hold harmless Alaska Port Innovations LLC d/b/a Port of Ward Cove, its affiliated companies, members, managers, owners, officers, employees, agents, contractors, representatives, tenants, lessors, lessees, insurers, and service providers from and against any claims, demands, liabilities, damages, losses, penalties, fines, judgments, settlements, costs, and expenses, including attorney fees, arising out of or related to:

1. The permit application;
2. Use of any permit;
3. Vehicle access, parking, loading, unloading, staging, transportation, or operations;
4. Acts or omissions of the permit holder, business, drivers, employees, agents, contractors, passengers, invitees, or vehicles;
5. Injury, death, property damage, environmental damage, spills, leaks, cleanup, delays, missed transportation, or operational disruption;
6. Violation of these Terms, posted rules, staff instructions, applicable laws, insurance requirements, or permit conditions; and
7. Claims made by passengers, guests, employees, contractors, tenants, visitors, other operators, government agencies, or other third parties.

This indemnity applies even if a claim alleges negligence by a released party, to the fullest extent permitted by law, but does not apply to the extent prohibited by applicable law.

No Lease, Easement, or Property Right

A permit is a limited, conditional, non-exclusive, revocable license only. It does not create a lease, tenancy, easement, ownership interest, possessory right, exclusive use right, priority right, or other property right.

A permit does not guarantee parking availability, access availability, passenger loading availability, route availability, future approval, renewal, or continued access. Port of Ward Cove may change, relocate, restrict, or eliminate parking areas, access routes, loading zones, permit categories, or operating procedures at any time.

Relationship to Other Agreements

These Terms supplement any separate lease, license, vendor agreement, operator agreement, contractor agreement, tenant agreement, tour agreement, or other written agreement with Port of Ward Cove or Alaska Port Innovations LLC. If a separate written agreement imposes stricter obligations, the stricter obligation controls unless the agreement expressly states otherwise.

Violation of these Terms may also constitute a violation of other applicable agreements, permits, policies, or property rules.

Governing Law and Venue

These Terms are governed by the laws of the State of Alaska. Any lawsuit or legal proceeding arising out of or related to these Terms, a permit, vehicle access, parking, loading, unloading, or use of Port of Ward Cove property shall be brought in the state or federal courts located in or serving Ketchikan, Alaska, unless applicable law requires otherwise.

Nothing in these Terms requires arbitration or waives either party's right to bring claims in court, except to the extent otherwise agreed in a separate written agreement.

Applicant Certifications and Acknowledgments

By submitting an application, paying a permit fee, using a permit, or entering Port of Ward Cove property under a permit, the applicant certifies and agrees that:

1. The applicant is authorized to submit the application and bind the business, permit holder, vehicle owner, drivers, employees, agents, contractors, and anyone operating under the permit;
2. All information provided is true, accurate, and complete;
3. The applicant will promptly update Port of Ward Cove if any information changes;
4. The applicant has read, understands, and agrees to these Terms;
5. The permit is a revocable license only and does not create a lease, easement, tenancy, or property right;
6. The permit is valid only for the approved vehicle, license plate, business, permit type, purpose, dates, times, and areas;
7. The applicant will ensure that all drivers and personnel follow Port of Ward Cove rules, maps, signs, and staff instructions;
8. The applicant will maintain required insurance and provide proof upon request;
9. The applicant is responsible for damages, cleanup, spills, towing, removal, enforcement costs, and claims arising from use of the permit or property;
10. The applicant agrees to release, indemnify, defend, and hold harmless Port of Ward Cove as stated in these Terms; and
11. Failure to comply may result in denial, suspension, revocation, towing, removal, denial of future permits, or other legal or operational action.