THE SIX THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW
ABOUT SHIPPING TO ALASKA
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ALASKA
Alaska can be a challenging place to move freight.
This ebook will familiarize you with the things that make Alaska unique, particularly when it comes to shipping. From extreme weather conditions to the lack of roads, from a large moose blocking the road to penguins... (Are there penguins in Alaska?) Alaska has a little of everything.
But if you know what to expect and what to look for in a transportation provider, the experience can be as smooth as ice.
GEOGRAPHY
1
It’s big up there. At about 663,000 square miles, Alaska is the largest of all U.S. states. To deal with that kind of space, you need to know that someone is taking care of your shipments for the long (cold) haul. Find a carrier that has some time and experience in Alaska. They will, or should, know the ins and outs – literally. Even better, find a company with a network of offices throughout the state, ideally hitting the major points like Prudhoe Bay in the extreme north, the Southeast coast ports like Skagway and interior cities like Fairbanks.The lack of highways in Alaska means that most shipments go by air or sea. There is no railroad service from the Lower 48 states or from Canada to Alaska, so railcars must move on barges. From frozen tundra to rocky coastline to volcanoes that are sleeping (for now) the geography is a major, but not insurmountable, obstacle to freight delivery, particularly in Southeast and Western Alaska. These factors require a carrier with mixed modes of transportation. Let’s say you want to move a container of retail products (sweaters and earmuffs perhaps?). In the Lower 48, the container could go on a flatbed from one place to another. In Alaska, you have to depend on an innovative transportation provider to move it by barge, then rail and finally by truck to get to its destination on time. That’s just one more reason to find a company you can count on with an established track record of Alaska service.
ROADS, OR NOT?
2
TIME FRAME
3
With Alaska’s challenging geography and harsh weather, you’ll need a transportation company that is equipped to tackle the challenges Mother Nature can throw at your shipment. The need for vehicles to cross mountain passes in blizzards or occasionally having a truck driver stare down a moose in the middle of the highway can lead to delays. By using a company with multiple transportation modes, you pay only for the speed you need. Whether shipping by air, ground or sea, be sure your transportation provider has all the necessary specialized equipment to deal with the extreme conditions so you can avoid delays.COST
The map doesn’t lie. Alaska is a long way from the rest of the U.S. and shipping costs are understandably higher. That’s why a gallon of milk may have a $9 price tag in a Bethel grocery store. True story (but an extreme example). There are many options to choose from. Overnight air freight delivery from just about anywhere is available, or seven-day Alcan highway truck service from Houston. How about twice weekly barge service from Seattle to Southeast Alaska ports like Ketchikan, or weekly service to Central Alaska? Or, if you need to get something to a remote outpost like Kaktovik (population 293) on the Beaufort Sea, you might need a combination of barge, rail, truck and bush plane. To save the most, look for carriers that are prepared to match your time requirement by offering multiple shipping modes – ground, sea, or air in any
combination.
This ebook courtesy of Lynden Incorporated @ www.lynden.com • The Six Things You Need to Know About Shipping to Alaska
WEATHER
5
Batten down the hatches! Alaska’s weather is unpredictable and extreme. Bad weather delays are especially common in Alaska so you need a carrier that has the knowledge and experience to minimize the impact on freight delivery. Weather can affect the time it takes to deliver your shipment, the cost, and it can spoil your Aunt Edna’s Christmas fruitcake that you were shipping back up to relatives in Nome after they sent it to you last year. Even if you wanted that particular package to freeze, you wouldn’t want your expensive shipment of electronics to sit in a truck in sub-zero temperatures. Make sure you find a carrier whois prepared to get your shipment delivered on time and protect your freight with temperature-controlled equipment.
SHIPPING OPTIONS
Back in the 1950s, affordable delivery options were often limited to the bigger cities like Anchorage and Fairbanks. Today, there are hovercraft to deliver mail and supplies to
inaccessible villages. Ice roads, bridges and landing strips pave the chilly way for trucks and bush planes into the most remote Alaska locations. There are more ways than ever to deliver your
shipments so find a company with a large “toolbox” of transportation options and use it. Also, make sure the company has an established online program to allow you to track and trace your shipment electronically at any point in the process.
This ebook courtesy of Lynden Incorporated @ www.lynden.com • The Six Things You Need to Know About Shipping to Alaska
Now you are an Alaska expert! Let’s see if you can pass this pop quiz:
What is the only U.S. capital that can only be reached by sea or air?
Answer:
Yep, Alaska’s own capital is without road service. You gotta love this place.
HAPPY SHIPPING!
We realize you’re now an expert on shipping to Alaska, but there are still a few things you need to get your shipment headed north. Like a rate quote.
Click here and we’ll give you one for free!
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