Anchorage is named DoD's newest Strategic Seaport

FORT EUSTIS, Va., (USTCNS) --- The port of Anchorage, Alaska, has been selected as the Surface Deployment and Distribution Command's newest Strategic Seaport.

The port becomes one of 15 in the United States that are designated by the Department of Defense for use in moving surge military cargoes in time of crisis. Anchorage is the only port outside the continental United States.

Selection of the port was made following a joint assessment by the U.S. Maritime Administration, U.S. Army Alaska, and SDDC.

"The team evaluated a number of capabilities, including highway, water and rail access, cargo staging area and berthing capacity," said Carol Caldwell, of SDDC's Transportation Engineering Agency, Newport News, Va., who conducted the engineering analysis.

"As we continue to transform to a more expeditionary joint force, we constantly need to reassess our Strategic Seaport capability," said Maj. Gen. Ann Dunwoody, SDDC's Commanding General. "In today's environment, redundant capability is critical to eliminate choke points and single point failures. Future restationing of forces will be key in future assessments."

The port is embarking on a two-phase, major expansion plan, including a road and rail expansion that will improve cargo flow and loading facilities. In addition, the marine terminal will be redeveloped to increase vessel, dock and staging capacity.

The 14 other commercial ports that are designated as Strategic Seaports are located at: Oakland, Long Beach, and San Diego, Calif.; Corpus Christi and Beaumont, Texas; Wilmington and Morehead City, N.C.; Tacoma, Wash.; Jacksonville, Fla.; Savannah, Ga.; Charleston, S.C.; Philadelphia, Pa.; Hampton Roads area ports in Virginia; and the New York/New Jersey Port Complex.