SDDC names Anchorage strategic seaport

SDDC names Anchorage strategic seaport    The U.S. military’s surface transportation logistics agency has named Anchorage, Alaska, a strategic seaport for the movement of Defense Department cargoes during times of crisis.
   Anchorage is one of 15 ports to hold this designation. Selection of the port was made following a joint assessment by the U.S. Maritime Administration, the U.S. Army in Alaska, and the Surface Deployment and Distribution Command (SDDC).
   “The team evaluated a number of capabilities, including highways, water and rail access, cargo staging area and berthing capacity,” said Carol Caldwell of the SDDC’s Transportation Engineering Agency, based in Newport News, Va.
   Anchorage is starting into a two-phase expansion plan, including a road and rail extension 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 designated as strategic seaports by the SDDC are 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; Hampton Roads area ports in Virginia; and the New York/New Jersey port complex.