ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) – The cost of shipping goods to Alaska is expected to rise in the new year due to increasing tariffs at the Port of Alaska.
Earlier this month, the Anchorage Assembly approved a significant tariff increase on goods passing through the Port of Alaska. These higher fees will likely be passed on to consumers around the state by shipping companies, industry leaders say.
The tariff increase comes after the Assembly established the Port of Alaska Modernization Program (PAMP) last summer.
The raised tariffs will help provide funding for the PAMP initiative, estimated to cost well over $1 billion.
With the port handling 75% of Alaska’s inbound cargo, consumers may start to see prices rise slightly after the new tariff takes effect.
The tariffs will rise from $0.59 per ton to $4.80 per ton, a price hike of nearly 800%.
It’s a similarly sized increase for full loads; The price will be raised from $9.50 per container to $75.50.
Anchorage Chief Administrative Officer …