costs . Once started , construction is expected to last at least seven years and cost at least $ 700 million . The harsh reality is that state legislators and administration officials have largely overlooked the Port ’ s failing dock , focusing instead on Alaska ’ s fiscal gap and other issues , so where the financing will be coming from is the big question going forward .
Clearly , time is running out . To prove that point , a 57,000-pound fender-pile structure broke off of the Port ’ s Terminal 2 last June while a ship was docking . Nobody was injured , there was no vessel damage , and surface workers and divers managed to remove the structure from the berth without delaying any ship visits . But it was a close call , and a similar incident in winter , when ice would prevent divers from entering the water , would likely close a berth for months .
Consequently , officials are now moving forward to replace docks and intend to start shore-side work and dredging in 2018 that will enable construction of a new fuel and cement terminal in 2019 just south of the existing docks . The new berth will be 45 feet deep at low tide to serve larger , modern vessels that current facilities cannot handle . And when that dock is complete , workers will move north , demolishing and replacing fuel and cargo terminals until the failing docks are replaced .
Initial work will be funded with money that remains from earlier dock-replacement efforts , but new funds will have to be raised from a combination of private and public sources . Some of the funding is expected to come from damages collected through litigation on the failed Port Intermodal Expansion Project . The federal government is expected to pay for a portion of the work to support national defense , homeland security , and commerce needs . The State may fund a portion of the project , and remaining costs will most likely be covered by Port revenue bonds that will be repaid with cargo-related fees and tariffs , which will be passed on to statewide consumers of fuel and goods transported across Anchorage ’ s docks .
There is no doubt as to the statewide commercial and economic impact of the Port of Alaska , but the facility holds an even more important distinction . In 2006 , the Port of Anchorage was designated as a Department of Defense National Strategic Seaport . Only 19 commercial seaports in the U . S . have this designation . The designation was bestowed upon the Port in recognition of its vital role in supporting overseas military deployments and day-to-day operations .
The Port of Alaska is an investment in our future . Smart investment will only be possible with people who have the will to lead and the vision to plan . The long-term viability of the Port of Alaska is what those of us challenged with the running of this facility think about every day when we get out of bed and come to work . To steal a phrase , “ failure is not an option .”
Steve Ribuffo is the Director of the Port of Alaska . In this capacity , he is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day business operations of the Port and interacting with tenants , the U . S . Coast Guard , the military , and new business prospects .
Ribuffo retired from the United States Air Force as a Colonel , having served 30 years on active duty . He is an Accredited Marine Port Executive , and a member of the Advisory Board of the International Association of Maritime Port Executives . Ribuffo also serves on the University of Alaska Anchorage ’ s Global Supply Chain Management curriculum advisory committee , and is Chairman of the Cook Inlet Harbor Safety Committee .
Steve Ribuffo Director Port of Alaska 38 January 2018