November 15, 2024
Dear Valued Customers,
Each year, the ocean carriers serving Alaska assess their expenses, including marine operating costs, terminal overhead, equipment maintenance, trucking, and capital investment in vessels and equipment, to help determine an appropriate General Rate Increase (GRI). Recently, the ocean carriers operating in Alaska filed for GRIs of 7.5% for the 2025 shipping season.
Similarly, Span Alaska conducts an annual evaluation and has determined that an increase is required to respond to inflationary operating, labor, and equipment costs and support the ongoing investment to provide reliable and consistent service throughout Alaska’s communities.
Taking these increases into account, Span Alaska has decided to implement a General Rate Increase of 7.5% for all Alaska cargo. This increase will be effective Sunday, December 15, 2024, and will apply to Central (inclusive of Kodiak and Dutch Harbor), Southeast, and Intrastate lanes within Alaska. For all other changes, such as accessorial rates, please refer to the terms and conditions set forth in Span Alaska’s Tariff SPAJ300, which can be accessed online at Tariff SPAJ300 (www.spanalaska.com)
Implementation of Port of Alaska Modernization Program Surcharge
On July 25, 2023, the Anchorage Assembly passed Ordinance 2023-34, establishing the Port of Alaska Modernization Program (PAMP) Surcharge. It applies to all commodities shipped through the Port of Alaska, including southbound shipments, and intra-state shipments to Kodiak and Dutch Harbor. The per-ton fee became effective on January 1, 2024, and was collected as part of the Municipality’s financing plan for the construction of new cargo terminals. Ocean carriers pay this fee to the Port, and pass on the costs to its shippers, including Span Alaska. Throughout the 2024 shipping season, Span Alaska absorbed this fee, without assessing our customers.
On November 6, 2024, the Anchorage Assembly approved an increase in tariffs to help pay for the Program. Effective January 1, 2025, the fee will increase from $0.59/ton to $4.80/ton and from $9.50 per Container to $75.50 per Container on Full Loads. The Port of Alaska Commission will conduct ongoing reviews and adjustments to the fee, extending beyond 2025. This tariff increase will have a notable effect on shipments through the Port of Alaska, and as a result, Span Alaska will introduce a PAMP surcharge effective January 1, 2025.
If you have any inquiries, please reach out to your account manager directly. Alternatively, you can contact Customer Service in Alaska at 907-349-3606 or Customer Service in Auburn, Washington at 800-257-7726.
We sincerely appreciate your ongoing support!