Two crane operators, seven deckhands, two forklift operators and an array of barges and tugs were all in position as 800 refrigerated containers and 269 flats were transferred from the vessel Hosanger to Alaska Marine Lines' tugs and barges in Dutch Harbor this spring. The reefers were destined for multiple ports.
"This was a One Lynden project requiring a great deal of coordination from all companies to complete safely and efficiently," says Jason Jansen, Alaska Marine Lines President. "AML remains committed to investing in new equipment that is more efficient to support our customers and meet their requirements."
Lynden Logistics provided support in China by coordinating the movement of 1,000 pieces of equipment coming from different vendors to the Qingdao port located in China's Yellow Sea. "We started talking with AML about the charter project back in December 2023 and having conversations with the Chinese equipment manufacturers in March," says Elodie Jollet-Gergov, Director of International Operations for Lynden Logistics. It took about two weeks to consolidate all the equipment to the Qingdao terminal and prepare it for loading on the Hosanger vessel. "The arrival of the vessel in Qingdao changed a few times, and the production of some pieces of equipment were delayed, which caused some pressure and challenges to get everything onboard and on time," Elodie says.
Finally, the vessel was loaded and ready for departure on April 30 with arrival in Dutch Harbor on May 12. Export customs clearance was coordinated by Lynden's Chinese partner, and Lynden's brokerage team handled U.S. import clearance. "This was the third charter I have been involved with for AML. We are always glad to support our sister company," Elodie says.
According to Jay Marchand, Continuous Improvement Manager for AML, gantry cranes on the vessel offloaded the reefers to the AML barges Westward Trader and Kenai Trader that were held fast on the starboard and port sides of the ship. The containers were either shuttled into Dutch Harbor's Service Center or loaded directly for Naknek for use during fish season. "The stevedoring crew was led by Alaska Marine Trucking Regional Manager TJ Vires and Alaska Marine Trucking Service Center Manager Zed Runyan and the crew in Dutch Harbor," Jay says. "Tug support was provided by Dunlap Towing and Bering Marine Corporation."
Onboard the Hosanger are, from left, Daniel Sullivan, TJ Vires, Cooper Street and Erik Scott of Alaska Marine Trucking.
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