The 54,000-square-foot Anchorage Service Center, which Span Alaska opened several years ago, is a “signature facility,” Johnson says. It boasts 88 dock doors and incorporates technology that allows Span to enhance customer service, streamline freight handling, and accelerate delivery timelines. The center handles about 60% of the freight Span moves through Alaska. “Our Anchorage Service Center is a major hub in our Alaska multimodal network,” he says. “Owning our own assets, including trucks, containers, and facilities, makes our network seamless, responsive, and transparent.” Coordinating Modes Alaska’s logistics infrastructure must be built and maintained to withstand the state’s challenging weather and topography. For example, the Port of Alaska requires frequent dredging because it’s surrounded by waters that take in cold, silty glacial run-off. Moreover, in a state as vast as Alaska, shippers need to rely on several modes of transportation and seamless handoffs between them. That’s why Span Alaska is advancing its shipment visibility technology—so customers can monitor their shipment every step of the way and be assured that the delivery will be on time, Johnson says. In developing its business in Alaska,
Lynden has been driven by its customers’ need to “get beyond the road to reach their customers,” McKallor says. Lynden’s service center network is one of the largest in the state. By leveraging its operating hubs and multi-modal capabilities, Lynden is “able to connect Alaska’s people and businesses seamlessly to each other and to the world,” he adds. Because Lynden offers a range of transportation options, customers can optimize their time and money when shipping to, from, or within Alaska. Across its fleets, Lynden invests in new equipment and modifications to ensure their trucks, planes, and vessels are as aerodynamic and energy efficient as possible. Lynden companies consistently score among the most efficient fleets in the nation despite operating in some of the steepest terrain and extreme weather. These efforts have led to Lynden being the first Alaska-based transportation company recognized by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) SmartWay Transport Partnership and the first trucking company to earn the Green Star Award for Alaskan businesses. Matson coordinates truck, rail, and barge service connections throughout south central Alaska, Kodiak, and the Aleutian Chain, as well as the lower 48 states. Its equipment includes dry and refrigerated containers, open-top
Anchorage, Port of Alaska www.portofalaska.com
Haines Borough, Ports and Harbors www.hainesalaska.gov/ports
Homer, Ports and Harbors www.cityofhomer-ak.gov/port
Juneau, Docks and Harbor juneau.org/harbors
Ketchikan, Ports and Harbor www.ktn-ak.us/port-harbors
Nome, Deep Draft Arctic Port www.nomealaska.org/port-nome
Seldovia, Harbormaster (seaplane dock too) www.cityofseldovia.com/ harbormaster-office Sitka Harbors (total of 5) www.cityofsitka.com/ departments/Harbors Unalaska Ports and Harbors www.ci.unalaska.ak.us/ portsandharbors
Valdez Small Harbor www.valdezak.gov/146/Harbor
An Alaska Marine Lines barge, part of the Lynden family of companies, navigates the waters of Alaska. Alaska Marine Lines provides barge service to Southeast, Central, Western, and Arctic Alaska. Lynden companies consistently score among the most efficient fleets in the nation despite operating in extreme weather and steep terrain.
54 Inbound Logistics • April 2022
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