Planning Framework
Marine and air logistics in Alaska hinge on three variables: weight, volume (cube), and weather; ferries and barges optimize heavy, non-urgent freight, while bush aircraft handle time-sensitive and last-mile deliveries to remote villages.
Weight vs Cube
- Air: charged by the greater of actual weight or dimensional weight \( \text{DW} = \frac{L \times W \times H}{166} \) for inches, or \( \frac{L \times W \times H}{5000} \) for cm; round up per carrier rules.
- Marine: rated by linear feet for vehicles or by cubic meters/tons for pallets and containers; stow heavy low, fragile high, moisture-protected.
Schedules and Seasonality
- Ferries/barges: fixed sailings impacted by sea state, storms, and ice; build 3–10 day buffers during shoulder seasons.
- Air bush ops: VFR/IFR constraints, short strips, and deicing delays; pre‑position freight in hubs to catch weather windows.
Packing for Marine Legs
- Moisture management: vapor barriers, desiccants, rust inhibitors; avoid untreated cardboard for long marine legs.
- ISPM‑15 wood for pallets; banding and corner protectors against lashings and transloads.
- Vehicle prep: disconnect batteries, 1/4 tank fuel, documentation in a waterproof pouch.
Air Cargo Preparation
- STOL realities: smaller pieces for hand-loading, shock pallets, closed-cell foam for tools/electronics.
- Hazmat: fuels, aerosols, lithium batteries require declaration or must travel separately.
- Critical kit rides with passengers: meds, comms, cold-weather PPE, key documents.
Costing Examples
| Scenario | Mode | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Household tools, totes, dry goods | Barge to hub + bush plane last mile | Cheaper bulk + flexible final delivery |
| Perishables, meds | Regional air cargo | Speed and cold-chain control |
| Vehicle, lumber, stove oil tank | Ferry/barge | Weight/cube efficiency |
Weather Risk Controls
- Buffer time and insurance; photo inventories; waterproof case labels.
- Alternate routings via secondary hubs; flexible handover windows with carriers.
- Winter ops: anti-icing for aircraft, tie-downs and chafe protection on deck cargo.
Working With Carriers
- Share load sheets and true weights early; confirm max piece size for specific aircraft types.
- For ferries, lock sailings early in peak season; for barges, coordinate cutoff dates and hazardous declarations.
- Use hub storage to decouple schedules and catch weather windows.