Finds An Edge
provide access to nearly every populated region in Alaska through a single, integrated network. “For our customers, coverage equals con dence,” Johnson says. “Whether they supply retail stores, construction projects, energy operations, or rural communities, they need to know their products and supplies can reach all points in Alaska—and arrive the way they are supposed to.” Johnson views logistics as critical economic infrastructure in Alaska. Dependable freight movement supports everything from cost of living to business growth—an understanding shared by both the private sector and state leadership. That reality is especially clear at the Don Young Port of Alaska in Anchorage, which handles about 75% of inbound cargo and fuel and serves 90% of the population. It is a cornerstone of the state’s supply chain and a key part of Span Alaska’s network. The Port of Alaska Modernization Program is a vital investment. “The project isn’t just about xing yesterday’s problems,” Johnson says. “It’s about ensuring long-term resilience. When infrastructure is strong, everyone downstream—from shippers to end customers—wins.”
and highly skilled teams, Lynden has developed the resources and equipment to serve Alaska’s businesses and residents in every region of the state. The culture of the company re ects the culture of the state, steeped in appreciation not only for Alaska’s beauty but also for its economic and strategic strengths. “There’s a lot of opportunity,” says Jansen, citing oil and gas, mining, and seafood among the industries that give Alaska its one-of-a-kind status in the global marketplace. “There are so many different key components. We’ve been able to adapt over time and create solutions to ful ll our customers’ needs as projects and opportunities are developed.” Developing Specialized Solutions Lynden covers the vast expanse of the state with diverse equipment speci cally suited for Alaska’s challenges, much of which the company has developed and designed. These include shallow-draft vessels that can navigate thin water such as shallow bays, rivers, marshes, and sandy coastal areas. In the air, Lynden’s eet features Hercules aircraft, which can move cargo to remote areas via gravel and ice airstrips and unprepared runways. “Mainstream eets typically can’t handle those types of terrain,” Jansen notes. The company’s multimodal capabilities enable movement to even the most remote locations. “We’ve got everything from trucks that are designed for long-line haul, deep-draft oceangoing barges, all the way to the shallow draft landing craft for going into the most challenging places,” he says. “A lot of western Alaska locations don’t have docks and typical infrastructure,” he adds. “We have the facilities to transfer cargo to smaller landing craft and make last-mile deliveries where we literally hit a beach and drop a ramp. We use large forklifts to take cargo off the vessel and across the beach and deliver it up into
some small communities where marine access or road access is not available.” “We often combine multiple modes to best t what’s needed,” he says. “Lynden is able to navigate those challenges to make the process simple for the customer.” Building on Foundational Strengths For Michael Johnson, president of Span Alaska, logistics in Alaska is more than a function—it is a foundation. In a state shaped by vast distances, harsh weather, and limited infrastructure, reliable transportation determines whether businesses operate, communities grow, and essential goods arrive on time. “Alaska doesn’t operate on convenience,” Johnson says. “It operates on commitment. If you’re going to serve this market, you have to design your network around reliability, not best- case scenarios.” A subsidiary of North America logistics leader Matson Logistics, Span Alaska was built on that principle. Founded in 1978, the company operates a 93-door consolidation center in Auburn, Washington, supported by service centers in Anchorage, Fairbanks, Kenai, Kodiak, and Wasilla. Together, these assets
Span Alaska—a subsidiary of North America logistics leader Matson Logistics—oers access to nearly every populated region in Alaska through an integrated network.
64 Inbound Logistics • April 2026
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