8 Proceedings Fall 2025 cargo capacity by adding tiered racks for shipping con- tainers above the rail cars that are loaded on the barge deck, significantly increasing tonnage for regular ship- ments to Alaska. Since there are no direct links between the Canadian and Alaskan railways, integration with road, rail, and air transport is essential. Barges are a cost-effective bridge, and the barge-to-rail interface has been active since the 1950s but operating and maintaining a fleet of 32 barges require round-the-clock oversight. Locations on the Duwamish River offer sheltered access to Puget Sound and convenient maintenance and repair services. Puget Sound’s maritime support sector also includes ship and boat construction, repair and maintenance, marine-related goods, materials, and equipment suppli- ers, and manufacturing. These services are vital for the fleet, ensuring compliance with regulatory dry docks and necessary repairs. Puget Sound is home to 10 major shipyards capable of dry-docking large barges. Key routes and service facilitate containerized and bulk ship- ping of essential supplies. Container ships and barges deliver groceries and consumables to Alaska, where gro- cers and food service companies typically maintain a two-week supply of goods based on storefront and ware- house availability. Surge purchases during the COVID- 19 pandemic reduced this supply drastically to about a week’s worth, highlighting the dependency on timely arrivals. Ferry, Freight, and the Future Established in 1963, the Alaska Marine Highway System (AMHS) provides essential transportation from Seattle to Alaska as well as connections throughout Alaska’s coastal communities. Initially integrated with Canada’s system, AMHS moved its hub south to Seattle from Prince Rupert, British Columbia, due to ferry system issues and rockslides. Today, AMHS operates a fleet of 11 vessels serving 33 communities transporting pas- sengers, vehicles, and container vans. The company not only transports freight goods, like fresh groceries and products vital to residents and businesses, it offers a cost- effective option for Alaskan seafood companies shipping fresh fish to major hubs for transfer to long-haul truckers bound for Seattle and Los Angeles. Puget Sound hosts more than 430,000 Alaska cruise passengers annually, with nearly half beginning and ending their cruises in Seattle. Ferry transportation between Bellingham, once considered for the new AMHS hub, and Alaska is notable, with more than 14,000 ferry passengers and nearly 6,000 vehicles making the journey annually. This system is such an important lifeline that, on occasion, benefits outweigh risks. For instance, a con- tainer vessel bound for Anchorage, Alaska, discovered a hydraulic oil leak requiring repair. With limited facilities in Anchorage, the Coast Guard consulted with the Port of Alaska to weigh potential environmental impacts and balance them against the necessity of groceries and sup- plies. Demonstrating the critical nature of safe transpor- tation for necessary food and essential goods to Alaska, the vessel was allowed to continue with additional pro- tective measures to prevent pollution. The significance of the Puget Sound area for Alaska’s commerce cannot be overstated. It serves as the pri- mary hub for moving goods and people, supporting the commercial fishing industry, and providing essential maritime services. The connectivity facilitated by Puget Sound ensures Alaska’s economy is robust, efficient, and well-integrated with national and international markets. Maintaining and enhancing transportation and mari- time infrastructures in Puget Sound is imperative for supporting Alaska’s continued growth and prosperity. About the authors: LT Kelly Allison earned a Bachelor of Science in Intermodal Transporta- tion and Logistics from the United States Merchant Marine Academy and currently serves as a journeyman marine inspector at Sector Puget Sound in Washington. Previous assignments include Sector Houston- Galveston, Naval Flight School, and Air Station Atlantic City. LT Annabelle Gagnon was an apprentice marine inspector at Sector Puget Sound before recently assuming command of Marine Safety Unit Dutch Harbor, Alaska. She earned a bachelor’s in naval architecture/ marine engineering from the United States Coast Guard Academy in 2018, followed by tour on CGC Healy and waterways management at Coast Guard Great Lakes District. CDR John Downing currently serves as the chief of inspections and investigations at Coast Guard Northwest District. Prior to this assign- ment, he served as the chief of prevention at Sector Anchorage where he oversaw all marine inspections, marine casualty investigations, and waterways management in Western Alaska and the U.S. Arctic. Endnotes: 1. The Northwest Seaport Alliance. (2025, July 2). New report finds The Northwest Seaport Alliance, Port of Seattle, and Port of Tacoma support nearly $55 billion in business output, driving the region’s economic growth. The Northwest Seaport Alliance. Retrieved July 16, 2025, from http://www.nwseaportalliance.com/ newsroom/new-report-finds-northwest-seaport-alliance-port-seattle-and- port-tacoma-support-nearly-0 2. The Northwest Seaport Alliance. (2024, January 22). A Strong Finish to 2023 for the NWSA. The Northwest Seaport Alliance. Retrieved July 15, 2025, from www.nwseaportalliance.com/newsroom/strong-finish-2023-nwsa. 3. The Northwest Seaport Alliance. (2025, January 21). NWSA 2024 Container Volumes Finish Strong. The Northwest Seaport Alliance. Retrieved July 16, 2025, from www.nwseaportalliance.com/newsroom/nwsa-2024-container- volumes-finish-strong 4. The Northwest Seaport Alliance. (2021, November 8). Port Competitiveness Study reveals Canadian federal investments more than double U.S. West Coast ports funding. The Northwest Seaport Alliance. Retrieved July 17, 2025, from www. nwseaportalliance.com/newsroom/port-competitiveness-study-reveals- canadian-federal-investments-more-double-us-west-coast 5. Alaska Airlines (2024, December 10). Alaska Air Group introduces “Alaska Accelerate,” its three-year strategic plan to deliver $1 billion in incremental profit following combination with Hawaiian Airlines. Alaska Airlines. Retrieved July 18, 2025, from news.alaskaair.com/dont-miss/investor-day-2024/. 6. Port of Seattle. (n.d.) SEA Gateway Program. Port of Seattle. Retrieved July 15, 2025, from www.portseattle.org/projects/sea-gateway-project
