The Port of Anchorage

Gateway to the futureIn the farthest reaches of the north, ocean-going vessels laden with goods and materials still represent the major commerce conduit. Kate Sawyer reports on the important role the Port of Anchorage plays in AlaskaÔÇÖs economic vitality. The Port of Anchorage serves as the gateway to the Last Frontier, and it is singularly vital to the survival of Alaskan businesses and residents.  Approximately 90 percent of all goods en route to Alaska pass through the Port of Anchorage, through rail, road, and air cargo connections. The PortÔÇÖs overall economic contribution to the region is more than $750 million each year.To improve the quality of existing facilities and to woo the oceanÔÇÖs largest cargo carriers, the Port of Anchorage kick-started an unprecedented expansion and renovation project totaling in excess of $700 million. The Port of Anchorage has seen a decade-long economic growth spurt and as a result has identified several key areas for improvement. For one thing, it must keep pace with shipping industry trends and entice larger ships by increasing the depth of the harbor. In addition, it should create new barge berths to improve the flow of goods to rural ports up the coast.The Marine Terminal Redevelopment project involves upgrading crane reach to accommodate larger ships; demolishing unsafe structures; expanding commercial dock space; expanding cruise ship facilities; improving landside traffic circulation, and installing state-of-the-art security equipment, operational services, and lighting controls.The second major area for renovation is its road and rail facilities, for which it aims to improve cargo flow; reduce traffic conflicts outside of Port boundaries; improve local air quality, and support new military requirements. By upgrading the current land approaches to the Port, it will be easier to send large volumes of goods to their final destinations.Of course, the Port must continue to operate as normal during the construction phase, which began in 2004 and will continue during the summers through 2014. The nature of its business makes the construction phase particularly trying, as any stoppage of shipments to the Port impacts the local and statewide economy.The Port of Anchorage is critical not only to civilian Alaska, but also the military. In fact, the Department of Defense designated the Port as one of 16 National Strategic Ports, as it provides 100 percent of the jet fuel to Elmendorf Air Force Base and 80 percent to Ted Stevens International Airport. It offers direct and indirect employment opportunities in the trucking, railroad, warehouse, and oil land construction industries, as well as a growing number of export-related jobs in petroleum products, forest products, mining and manufacturing. The Port of Anchorage leases property to stakeholders who in turn give over a portion of their profits. A 129-acre Industrial Park adjoins the port to the east. Approximately 81 acres of the park are under long-term lease to various port users. Additionally, there are 31 acres for staging and storing marine cargo in transit. However, two major carriers out of Tacoma, Washington dominate the activity at the Port: Totem Ocean Trailer Express (TOTE) and Horizon Lines.┬á ÔÇ£TOTE owes much of its success to its loyal customers and the hard work of its employees, seafarers, merchant officers, and members of organized labor who support the ships shoreside,ÔÇØ said Bob Magee, TOTE president and CEO. ÔÇ£It is through their dedication and perseverance that TOTE is able to maintain its commitment to the future of Alaska.ÔÇØ TOTE is a privately owned Alaska corporation operating a fleet of roll-on/roll-off cargo trailer ships in the Alaska trade.Tourism is another important source of revenue, and Port tours are organized daily. With major cruise lines using the Port, and its status as a major economic hub for the region, the need to provide state-of-the-art docking services to the tourism industry is critical.ÔÇ£As the former Governor of this great state, IÔǪinvite you to see the impressive expansion project we are undertaking at the Port of Anchorage,ÔÇØ said Bill Sheffield, director of the Port of Anchorage at a recent conference. ÔÇ£We are the gateway to AlaskaÔÇÖs future.ÔÇØ ┬á