The American Samoa Shipyard Authority Board chairman David Robinson says the government owned shipyard - in its current stage of desrepair - is not ready to be sold off.
Mr Robinson was speaking before lawmakers reviewing the shipyard's US$2.1 million budget for the new fiscal year.
Some lawmakers want the yard privatised to get more money for the government.
But Mr Robinson says the board feels now is not the time for such a move, especially when the facility is still quite run down and major repairs are needed.
"In 12 months time with the work that we have got planned the government would be in a very strong position to go out and market that shipyard and look at privatising it."
David Robinson says the government could earn more through lease payments and other benefits.
