Port of Alaska

What Port of Alaska does

The Don Young Port of Alaska is a municipal port facility owned and operated by the Municipality of Anchorage, located on upper Cook Inlet in Anchorage, Alaska. Established in 1961 and renamed in January 2024 to honor the late U.S. Representative Don Young, the port is Alaska's most versatile and primary inbound cargo gateway, handling approximately 5.5 million tons of fuel and freight annually, including containers, liquid bulk, dry bulk, break bulk, and cruise ships. The facility provides approximately 90% of merchandise goods for 87% of Alaska's population, including more than 200 rural communities, and processes roughly 240,000 containers per year. It is one of only 18 U.S. Department of Defense designated commercial strategic seaports, supplying 100% of jet fuel to Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson and 75% of jet fuel to Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport (the world's fourth-busiest air cargo hub) via dedicated pipelines.

The port's infrastructure spans more than 125 acres of cargo-handling yard, 3.1 million barrels of liquid fuel storage, 60,000 tons of cement storage, gantry cranes, and roll-on/roll-off (RO-RO) trestles, engineered to withstand Cook Inlet's extreme conditions including tides ranging nearly 40 feet and significant seismic risk. A $2.7 billion Port of Alaska Modernization Program (PAMP) is replacing aging docks with pile-supported infrastructure designed for a 75-year service life. The new Petroleum and Cement Terminal opened in 2023, with Terminal 2 and Terminal 3 construction ongoing under an $807 million contract awarded to Manson/Michels Joint Venture in April 2025 and managed by Jacobs as program management consultant.

The port operates as a landlord port under a municipal enterprise model, generating revenue through Terminal Tariff No. 10.2 (effective January 1, 2026) cargo tariffs, surcharges dedicated to modernization funding, and lease income from more than twenty tenants including ocean carriers (TOTE Maritime Alaska, Matson, Horizon Lines, Crowley), petroleum distributors (Delta Western, Tesoro, Flint Hills Resources), and industrial operators. Federal funding has been substantial, with over $115.4 million in U.S. DOT Port Infrastructure Development Program grants awarded across Alaska projects, including $50 million for the Cargo 1 Replacement Project in November 2024. The Anchorage Assembly authorized approximately $1.1 billion in revenue bonds in April 2025 to fund ongoing modernization, repaid through surcharges on cargo. The port is governed by a nine-member Anchorage Port Commission and oversight by the Municipality's Enterprise and Utility Oversight Committee, and is not a private investment vehicle subject to acquisition or share issuance.

Name

Port of Alaska

Legal name

Don Young Port of Alaska

Website

https://portofalaska.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1961

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Don Young Port of Alaska is the Municipality of Anchorage-owned primary inbound cargo gateway for Alaska, handling 5.5 million tons of fuel and freight annually and supplying 90% of merchandise goods for 87% of the state's population.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Port and Maritime Logistics Services

NAICS

Port and Harbor Operations (488310), Marine Cargo Handling (488320), Ship Building and Repairing (336611)

SIC

Water Transportation (4400), Wholesale-Petroleum Bulk Stations & Terminals (5171)

akta.pro primary industry

Berth, Anchorage & Pilotage Scheduling (TLAHAFAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Port Equipment Operations (Crane Operators, RTG/RMG, Straddle Carrier Operations) (TLAHALAE), Stevedoring & Vessel Loading/Discharging (Ship-to-Shore Operations) (TLAHALAA), Marine Terminals & Cargo Handling Infrastructure (RoRo, Bulk, Container) (IMAFAJAF)

Keywords

• Maritime port operations
• Cargo handling services
• Petroleum terminal operations
• Port modernization infrastructure
• Strategic seaport services

Headquarters

HQ city

Anchorage

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Infrastructure, Operations, Personnel, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Port Terminal Tariffs and User Fees: Revenue generated through terminal tariffs charged on cargo moving through the port, including surcharges that are passed along to consumers through prices of imported goods. The port operates as a landlord port model with multiple tenants.
2. Lease and Rental Income: Income from leasing port facilities to private companies including Delta Western, Totem Ocean Trailer Express, and Horizon Lines. Port accommodates over twenty customers including petroleum distributors, cargo carriers, and other maritime operators.

Pricing tiers

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

The Don Young Port of Alaska operates as a municipal landlord port providing cargo handling, petroleum offload and storage, cement storage, and cruise ship berthing services on upper Cook Inlet in Anchorage. It handles approximately 5.5 million tons of fuel and freight annually, including containers, liquid bulk, dry bulk, break bulk, and roll-on/roll-off cargo, serving as Alaska's primary inbound cargo gateway and a Department of Defense-designated strategic seaport.

Product overview

Port of Alaska (Don Young Port of Alaska) is a physical port facility offering a unified suite of cargo handling and maritime services. The port operates as a landlord port with core offerings including: cargo handling (containers, liquid bulk, dry bulk, break bulk, RO-RO), petroleum terminal operations with 3.1 million barrels of storage, cement storage (60,000 tons capacity), cruise ship facilities, and tenant services across 125+ acres of cargo-handling yard. The Port is undergoing a major modernization (PAMP) estimated at $1.8-$2.7 billion, which includes construction of new Terminal 1 (completed 2023), Terminal 2, and Terminal 3 to replace aging infrastructure. Equipment includes gantry cranes and RO-RO trestles. The port handles approximately 5.5 million tons of fuel and freight annually, serving as Alaska's primary inbound-cargo gateway.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Cargo Handling Operations
• Petroleum Terminal Operations
• Cement Storage Facility
• Petroleum and Cement Terminal (PCT)
• Cruise Ship Facilities
• Tenant and Operator Services
• Port of Alaska Modernization Program (PAMP)

Quantifiable outcome

• 5.5 million tons of fuel and freight handled annually
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers11 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• JacobscoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 23 October 2025Jacobs has received a five-year contract extension to serve as Program Management Consultant for the Port of Alaska Modernization Program. The program involves replacing aging infrastructure with resilient facilities, supporting Alaska's critical supply chain, national security, and disaster recovery.
• Manson/Michels Joint VenturecoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 18 April 2025Construction contractor awarded $807 million contract for Port of Alaska cargo terminal upgrades as part of the ongoing modernization project. Project includes supporting operations like military deployments and cruise ships.
• Municipality of AnchoragecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 21 November 2014The Municipality of Anchorage owns and operates the Don Young Port of Alaska through the Port Commission. The Assembly provides governance and approval for major decisions including modernization project funding and design.
• CH2MHILL (now part of Jacobs)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 4 September 2014CH2MHILL led the Project Management Team for the Anchorage Port Modernization Program, conducting concept planning charrettes and developing design alternatives. The firm provided technical expertise for the 15% design level development.
• Port of Alaska Modernization Program Advisory Board (PAB)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAdvisory board providing guidance on the modernization program design and implementation. Includes work sessions discussing projects like the stevedore building. Meets regularly with virtual participation options.
• Enterprise and Utility Oversight CommitteeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAnchorage Assembly committee that reviews and makes recommendations regarding operations and budgets of the Municipality's enterprise activities including the Port of Alaska.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• Port of Long Beach: Larger landlord-port authority operating one of the largest container terminals in the U.S. Comparable governance and tenant-leased landlord model, though at much greater scale and container focus than Port of Alaska's diversified cargo mix.
• Port Houston: Largest petrochemical and container port in the U.S., operated as a public port authority under a landlord model. Comparable petroleum-handling infrastructure (notably the petroleum/storage operations akin to Port of Alaska's 3.1M-barrel fuel terminal) but at much greater scale.
• Port of Los Angeles: Largest U.S. container port, operated by a municipal landlord-port authority. Comparable governance and tenant-lease model but vastly larger scale and focused on international containerized trade.

Direct peers

• Port of Virginia: State port authority operating deep-water terminals handling containers, break bulk and project cargo via a landlord model. Compares on governance structure and diversified cargo handling, although with significantly higher container volume.
• Port of Oakland: California public port authority with landlord model handling containers, bulk, and break bulk. Comparable as a publicly governed port authority with similar tenant-lease structure, though warmer-water operations.
• Port of Baltimore (Maryland Port Administration): State-operated port authority managing roll-on/roll-off, container, bulk and break bulk cargo through a landlord model. Closely comparable operating model and cargo diversity to Port of Alaska.
• Port of Tacoma: Northwest Seaport Alliance partner operating a landlord-model cargo port that handles containers, autos and break bulk for Alaska feeder trade. Directly comparable as a multi-modal public port authority with similar cargo mix and tenant structure.
• Port of Seattle: Public port authority operating a landlord-model gateway combining container cargo, cruise terminals, and fuel infrastructure. Comparable scale and operational mix to Port of Alaska, including cruise facilities and similar mix of bulk and containerized cargo.

Regional players

• Port of Haines: Alaska-based alternative port serving Southeast Alaska communities with smaller-scale roll-on/roll-off and barge operations. Competes for some of Port of Alaska's Southeast Alaska cargo catchment, making it a partial regional alternative rather than a full head-to-head peer.
• Port of Kodiak: Alaska port handling fishing fleet, cargo and fuel for Kodiak Island. Comparable as an Alaska municipal port handling fuel and bulk cargo, but much smaller and focused on local fishing-industry supply rather than statewide distribution.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/portofalaska
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCdZpzagF1y4b6tC9Z0hR3_g
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/port-of-alaska

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles16 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Port of Alaska