Cargo to the Bush: cargo carriers supply rural Alaskans with everyday advantages through delivery services.

• Author: Orr, Vanessa
• Position: Industry Overview

Years ago, living in rural Alaska meant waiting days, sometimes weeks, for supplies to be brought in. With no roads leading outside, the residents of remote villages were dependent on those individuals and businesses that could transport the goods they needed, whether by barge or plane. Today, these far-flung locations still depend on transportation companies to provide them with many of the necessities they need for everyday life, as well as specialized equipment for construction or similar projects. But while transporting these items may have gotten easier in the last few decades, there are still many challenges faced by the companies who service rural Alaska.

A MATTER OF LOGISTICS

There are inherent difficulties in transporting cargo to remote, roadless villages, even if the goods are carried in by barge or plane. As always in Alaska, weather is a concern, though it is not the only thing that transporters need to consider.

"There are a lot of challenges in flying to rural Alaska," explained Todd Wallace, senior vice president, corporate business development and community relations for Northern Air Cargo. "You have to take into account the remoteness of the area, the weather, the length and condition of the runway, snow removal, and in general, the harshness of the environment And you have to know how to deal with the cargo you're carrying; it doesn't do you any good if somebody's bananas arrive frozen."

"In some areas, like Dutch Harbor, you not only have to deal with a short runway, but also in bad weather, weight and balance issues become critical," said Holly Austermuhl, cargo inside sales, Alaska Airlines. "While we may have room on a plane for 72 people, we might only be able to seat 40, along with half of the priority mail and none of the cargo."

Barge carriers face serious difficulties as well. Working quickly to transport as much as they can during a limited season, they face challenges that are not only daunting, but also dangerous. "On the inland rivers, we're not particularly weather-driven, but we're absolutely limited as to what we can do on the Bering Sea coast," explained Mark Smith, president, Yukon Fuel Co. Yukon Fuel Co. is a fuel and freight marketing service provider that ships fuel and supplies throughout western and rural Alaska on Yutana Barge Lines. "During rough weather, it can get ugly, especially in the shallow areas near shore. We also have to deal with the fact that very few of the areas we operate in have...