8 Popular Ports in Alaska: What You Need to Know
For the entire population of Alaska, ports are the lifeline for resources, shipping goods out of the state, and travel. Not only do they help provide support for Alaska’s economy, but they also welcome in the tourism industry. Here are some of Alaska’s major ports, and what they are known for.
Port of Alaska
The largest port in the state, the Port of Alaska, is located in Anchorage, which is also Alaska’s largest city. This port caters to a wide variety of shipping vessels and handles more than 3.5 million tons of supplies annually. Food and fuel are the obvious ones, but a large number of building materials and cement for infrastructure are needed to build or repair buildings, pipelines, and roads around the area.
The Port of Alaska is also considered the “lifeline” or “economic heart” of Alaska. Supplies that travel here often are then distributed into hundreds of communities outside of it. Port of Alaska is well-equipped to handle a wide variety of shipping vessels, military equipment, and can safely disembark tons of material with specialized machinery. Imported cargo from Port of Alaska goes to 85% of all Alaskans.
Port of Dutch Harbor
Known as the #1 Fishing Port in the United States, this port caters to the US Coast Guard, the Unalaska Marine Center Dock, and many others. Located in Unalaska, Port of Dutch Harbor is in the middle of the Aleutian Islands. This port is dedicated to promoting and accommodating the fishing industry, marine-related commerce, and environmental protection for these sparsely populated, sometimes uninhabited islands.
Port of Homer
The Port of Homer, located in the city of Homer, can house and unload a wide variety of vessels. From ammonia tankers to tug boats, this port is well-equipped to handle most large sea-bound ships. In 2004, they conducted studies to build a larger port, though many setbacks have happened over the past decade, including limited funding from the federal government.
Port of Homer also has a Derelict Boat Task Force, which sets out and finds decrepit boats and disables them for proper disposal.
Port of Nome
If the ship’s final destination is the arctic, the Port of Nome is where to go. Considered the “Nation’s Arctic Port,” Port of Nome is located right outside of the arctic circle, and is used to transfer goods into the circle, or to refuel a vessel.
In late December of 2019, the city of Nome and Alaska Corps District researched for a study to expand the port. The recommended plan, at the cost of $491 million, is to widen and deepen the deep-water basin to provide safer navigation and mooring for vessels passing through.
Other Notable Ports:
- Port of Juneau, which is a major cruise destination and fishing industry.
- Port of Ketchikan, known as the first city of Alaska for being the first city you arrive at while taking a passage north.
- Port of Kodiak is a port for fishing and cargo.
- Port of Kivalina supports an Alaskan mining industry.
