Alaska freight comes with its own unique challenges and considerations. Even if you’re experienced in moving domestic U.S. freight, it’s possible to get caught off guard by the variables in shipping cargo to and around Alaska. These variables can impact everything from your transportation costs to delivery timelines.
Whether you’re sending heavy machinery, construction materials, retail inventory, or essential supplies to Alaska, a solid understanding of Alaska cargo shipping can save you money, streamline your logistics, and help make your timelines more predictable.
In this guide, I’ll offer you insights into the nuances of shipping freight to Alaska, honed over decades of experience moving Alaska cargo.
In This Article:
#1: Not All Alaska Destinations Are the Same
#2: For Alaska Freight, Coordinating Multiple Modes Is a Must
#3: Alaska’s Winter Weather Is a Factor
#4: Not All Delivery Services Are Available Through All Alaska Providers
#5: Specialized Alaska Freight Requires Specialized Equipment
#1: Not All Alaska Destinations Are the Same
If you’re new to Alaska freight shipping, you might not realize how much your destination matters. Here in California, moving freight from our terminal in Los Angeles to San Diego versus San Francisco is a pretty simple matter of different over-the-road routing.
In Alaska, only 18% of communities are accessible by road. Moving cargo from the Port of Alaska in Anchorage to a destination in the Anchorage metro area can be relatively straightforward. However, that’s not true of a delivery to Bethel, Nome, or Dutch Harbor.
Moving freight to and around Alaska involves trucks, container ships, barges, and planes—or a combination. That’s why it pays to work with a freight provider with deep experience in Alaska. They know what it takes to get freight to its final destination, and they can help you come up with creative solutions for harder-to-reach areas.
#2: For Alaska Freight, Coordinating Multiple Modes Is a Must
Let’s talk a little more about the different modes your Alaska freight might move through, to give you a better understanding of Alaska cargo shipping.
Incoming freight headed for destinations accessible by truck can be moved from the Port of Alaska over the road to Southcentral destinations including the Anchorage metro area, Homer, Kenai, and Palmer, as well as Interior destinations like Fairbanks, Delta Junction, North Pole, and Tok. Of course, winter weather can make Alaska trucking a little more complex. More on that below.
In addition to the container ships that arrive to the Port of Alaska in Anchorage, barges also move ocean freight to the Southcentral, Southeastern, Western, and Arctic regions of Alaska. For communities inaccessible by road, these barges provide a vital link for goods and supplies.
Air freight is also an option for Alaska freight, both for moving cargo to and around the state. Ted Stevens International Airport (ANC) is one of the busiest airports in the world by metric tons of cargo handled. Planes offer a vital link to Alaska’s communities that can’t be reached by truck. In fact, the Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities owns and operates 237 airports within its Rural Airport System.
Leveraging multiple modes is essential for getting cargo to its final destination in Alaska. This also brings up another challenge: Someone needs to coordinate all of these modes to keep your Alaska cargo moving.
You could manage these pieces yourself. Or, you could partner with a freight forwarder to deal with carriers, coordinate handoffs between modes, and manage your freight timelines.
A forwarder with Alaska experience will ensure you’re working with a partner that knows how to keep your freight moving. Even better, choose a forwarder with an Alaska footprint. For Alaska freight projects, we partner with our Anchorage-based sister company, Royal Alaskan Movers. Their local experience—plus Alaska-based assets like a warehouse and a fleet—help us deliver agile freight solutions for our customers.
#3: Alaska’s Winter Weather Is a Factor
Alaska winters are legendary, so Alaska residents, businesses, and freight providers all expect to make adjustments to deal with snow, ice, and treacherous conditions during Alaska’s colder months.
However, many are surprised to discover that barge service to Western and Arctic Alaska closes down from mid-September through mid- to late March. That means destinations like Dillingham, Nome, and Bethel are only accessible by air. (Which can add significantly to your transportation costs!)
An experienced Alaska freight forwarder can help you plan ahead for these closures, as well as stock up on inventory and supplies to get you through the winter months.
#4: Not All Delivery Services Are Available Through All Alaska Providers
If you need more than port-to-port services for your Alaska freight, it’s important to plan ahead. Some Alaska freight providers don’t offer curbside delivery, inside delivery, or white glove service, especially outside the Anchorage metro area.
Before you select an Alaska freight provider, make sure you understand their delivery capabilities in Alaska. Otherwise, you may find yourself looking for last-minute help to fill the gaps.
If you’re newer to freight shipping, let’s walk through the industry standard terms you’ll hear freight providers use, so you know exactly what to expect—and what to ask for:
Curbside Delivery
Just as it sounds, curbside delivery means that your Alaska freight provider will deliver your freight to the “curb.” That could mean the door to your warehouse or delivery entrance of a retail location. Curbside delivery will save you the hassle of arranging to pick up your freight from the port.
Inside Delivery
If you’d rather the delivery team bring your freight over the threshold, that’s called inside delivery. In an inside delivery, your crew will bring your freight just inside the door. Note that they crew is not required to navigate stairs or elevators. Final placement inside your location will be your team’s responsibility.
White Glove Delivery
White glove offers the highest service level for deliveries—and maximum convenience.
In a white glove delivery, the delivery team will bring your freight inside your location, unpack it, assemble it (as needed), and maneuver it into its final place.
Not all freight providers in Alaska offer all of these services. If you anticipate needing these levels of service, ask up front so you don’t waste time with a provider who can’t deliver the assistance you need.
#5: Specialized Alaska Freight Requires Specialized Equipment
Finally, even in Alaska’s rugged environment—and with the wonderful “can do” spirit of Alaska residents—if you’re moving specialized freight, it’s important to choose an experienced provider with the right equipment.
Consider medical equipment like MRI machines, X-ray machines, or CT systems. This delicate—and expensive—machinery requires careful handling with the right equipment, some of which is manufacturer-specific. Make sure you choose a provider with the right dollies, skates, jacks, J-bars, etc. to ensure the safety of expensive or sensitive specialized freight.
Tip: When you’re searching for a provider, ask about past freight projects. You’ll discover pretty quickly whether they have the equipment—and the expertise—to do it right.
Streamlining Your Next Alaska Freight Project
Now that you understand the factors that make moving Alaska cargo so unique, you also understand why it’s important to choose an experienced Alaska freight provider. The right partner can help you navigate these challenges with greater ease—and save you both time and money on your Alaska freight projects.
We’d love to assist on your next Alaska freight project. Along with our DeWitt sister company, Royal Alaskan Movers, our team has decades of Alaska freight experience in all types of freight, including medical equipment, construction equipment and supplies, heavy freight, specialty freight, and more. Reach out to our team for a complimentary quote to get started.
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