About PAF

PACIFIC ALASKA FREIGHTWAYS HISTORY

PAF History ] [ Shipping to Alaska ] [ Industries Served ] [ Communications ] [ COD ] [ Logistics ]
[ K.F.F. ] [ Packaging ] [ Documentation ] [ Insurance Cert. ] [ Hazardous Mat.] [Credit Application]

Pacific Alaska Forwarders was founded in Seattle, Washington in 1961 and has remained to this day a privately held corporation. The company started out as a consolidation business for many of the wholesale plumbing and electrical suppliers in Alaska, utilizing the services of break bulk barge and shipping companies of that era. 

The owners have always prided themselves on being independent and thus able to supply their customers with the finest shipping services available based on customer needs, including air freight, over the Alcan highway trucking, ship container service, Ro/Ro ship service and rail barge service. On November 12, 2007 the company name was changed to Pacific Alaska Freightways to better reflect the services that we offer.

Today Pacific Alaska Freightways enjoys a wide customer base including major national retail accounts, construction companies, oil and gas industry suppliers and still continue as the leader in electrical and plumbing wholesale distributors shipping programs. PAF also maintains long-term partnerships with national transcontinental trucking companies with single freight bill service from origin to Alaska destinations.

Pacific Alaska Freightways owns and staffs all of it's terminals in Alaska and Washington and operates it's own fleet of trucks and trailers in both locations. This gives PAF a huge advantage over competitors who sub out their deliveries and are dependant on 3rd party agents.

Pacific Alaska Freightways also has a state of the art computer system that gives customers real time tracing, rating and tracking abilities along with computerized loading and manifesting, assuring clear and concise documentation.

SHIPPING TO ALASKA

Alaska is divided into three primary market areas, Western Alaska, Central Alaska and Southeast Alaska.

The largest populated area and major commerce area of Alaska is Central Alaska commonly referred to as the "railbelt area". Major cities and commercial areas are Anchorage, Fairbanks, Prudhoe Bay, Valdez, Wasilla, Kenai, Soldotna, Homer and Seward. Steamship service from the Port of Tacoma to Anchorage is provided twice per week for all LTL and TL moving into these markets. From Anchorage, these markets are all serviceable by road however rail beyond Anchorage especially to Fairbanks is also available and used on a regularly scheduled basis.

Western Alaska is served primarily by Barge five months of the year and by Air beyond Anchorage the remaining seven months of the year when the Bering Sea is frozen. Primary cities in Western Alaska are Bethel, Dillingham, Nome, Naknek, and Kotzebue, Alaska. Nome is also the destination of the famous Iditarod Race held annually from Anchorage to Nome.

Southeast Alaska, commonly referred to as the Panhandle is accessible only by water or air. There are no coastal highways so this area is served weekly by Barge service from Seattle. Primary cities in addition to the Capital of Juneau, are Ketchikan, Sitka, Wrangell, Petersburg, Skagway and Haines.

The Island of Kodiak is serviced twice weekly by Steamship and also has regularly scheduled barge service available.

In addition to Water service to much of Alaska, TL Service over the road is available on the Alcan Highway to many of Alaska’s major cities in Central Alaska.

 [ Commercial Fishing ] [ Oil Industry ] [ Construction ] [ Tourism ]

Commercial Fishing

This major segment of the Alaskan economy has always been a big part of Pacific Alaska Freightways. With terminals at the major fishing communities of Kenai, Kodiak and Cordova, we are able to service the fleet and processors and coordinate their extremely tight shipping schedules. When the salmon show up, the canneries and processors must have their supplies ready and on site. The major commercial fishing supply companies in Alaska and Seattle depend on PAF's knowledge of their products and expedited services to all Alaska cities.  This enhances their ability to service the fishing fleet.

For more information, contact PAF's specialists in Commercial Fishing.

The Oil Industry

The original oil finds in Cook Inlet were discovered in 1957. This started a wave of exploration for other finds resulting in the Prudhoe Bay discoveries in 1968. These wells led to the need to move the oil from the arctic region to ships that could move the oil to major refineries in the lower 48. 

The Pipeline was built beginning in 1973 and completed in 1977 at a total cost of 8 billion dollars. Since then oil has been the driving force in the Alaska economy. The pipeline is 800 miles long terminating in Valdez. PAF has been involved in the oil related industries since its inception and plays a major roll in shipping to oil field suppliers and oil related construction projects

For more information, contact PAF's specialists in the Oil Industry.

Construction

PAF ships to all sizes of construction jobs. From single family homes to major oil refinery projects, major hotels and hospitals. With PAF's ability to handle any size cargo, offer barge, steamship, rail services and consolidation of cargo, PAF becomes an integral part of every construction project.

Tracking of freight from the shipper all the way to the job and making sure it arrives at the job site when needed has been PAF's specialty since 1961.

For more information, contact PAF's specialists in Construction.

Tourism

Tourism continues to grow in Alaska, currently attracting over one million visitors per year and has become the second largest primary employer in the state. Pacific Alaska Freightways plays an integral part in supporting the Tourism Industry by providing a wide variety of transportation services required to support the growing number of visitors to "The Last Frontier". Whether Hotel supplies, small boats and tackle for sport fishing, snowmobiles for winter activities, clothing for all seasons, or stocking cruise ships just for summer excursions, PAF transports a wide array of products to Alaska in support of the Tourism Industry.

Alaska is America's largest State and abundant in natural resources and beauty. From wildlife to wild flowers, high mountains to smoking volcanoes, serene glaciers to the rushing rivers they feed, Alaska provides a variety for the most discerning visitor. Where else in America can you visit glaciers in the morning, possibly catch a world class King Salmon by early afternoon, view many of natures wildlife and scenic beauty in the early evening and catch a light show at night by viewing the Aurora Borealis also known as The Northern Lights. All are available in Alaska and much more for the outdoor enthusiast. Whether sight seeing, mountain climbing, big game hunting, or sport fishing, Alaska provides a wide variety of activities to make your trip memorable.

For more information about Alaska and help planning your next trip, visit the Web site of the Alaska Division of Tourism at http://www.dced.state.ak.us/tourism/ and remember -

When you come to Alaska, PAF will be there for you. Just as we have been for over 46 years.

COMMUNICATIONS

Pacific Alaska Freightways has State of the Art Software Systems to enhance our total service capabilities for consignees and shippers alike. Through our new web site, you can request rates,  request  imaged delivery receipts, receive advanced shipping notifications via email or fax as well as many other advanced communication features. In addition, we provide quick link connection with our major business partners to further facilitate your service requirements. Click on Partnerships to take advantage of this seamless service. We are committed to continually seeking ways to provide our customers with the information you need to make sound business decisions.

Pacific Alaska Freightways will accept C.O.D. shipments for customers we service on a direct basis from our terminals in Anchorage, Fairbanks, Kenai and Kodiak, Alaska. In addition, we will accept shipments that are moving freight collect where we are the delivering carrier. In addition, PAF maintains partnerships with many companies that service non-direct points and can therefore handle freight collect shipments to most locations. There is a nominal fee for this service. If you have questions, please contact us at info@pafak.com.

LOGISTIC CAPABILITIES

PAF is in a unique position to offer all forms of transportation services to our customers who require special logistical coordination.

PAF has been the logistics provider on many major construction projects from oil refineries to pipeline construction jobs, major hotels and hospitals, a chemical plant and resorts.

We have also assisted in the set up and transportation to mines in the interior of Alaska, areas that are not served by roads and where all freight had to be moved by barge and air into the mine site.

No area is too remote for PAF’s logistics services. We have the personnel that are specialists in all modes of transportation and have the equipment and resources available to fill any need.

Pacific Alaska Freightways will provide K.F.F. (Keep From Freezing) service on those LTL & TL shipments susceptible to freezing when shipped to Alaska. There is a fee for K.F.F. service. To assure you receive this service if required, mark boldly on your Bill of Lading K.F.F. or Keep From Freezing. Contact our rate department for the cost associated with this specialized service. In addition, if your shipment moves flatbed and tarping is required to protect your shipment from the elements, a tarping service fee will be assessed per full load shipment tarped and will vary for LTL depending on size. ARCTIC EQUIPMENT READINESS - All PAF Alaska facilities are heated and all equipment is specially built to withstand the rigors of the Alaskan winters.

PACKAGING

Packaging requirements for Alaska shipping are the same as required in the National Motor Freight Classification Directory. Remember, "The better the packaging, the better the freight arrives in Alaska."

A Uniform straight Bill of Lading is sufficient for moving freight with Pacific Alaska Freightways. Terms can be prepaid, collect or a combination of both. Please note the terms of payment on the Bill of Lading. To view a blank Bill of Lading, click on Example Bill of Lading.  We are happy to ship your Personal Effects.  Information about this can be found at the Personal Effects link. If you'd like to open a Credit Account, please click here and fill out this form and fax to us.

Pacific Alaska Freightways maintains all risk Marine Cargo Insurance as required for cargo and liability insurance. Some items of extraordinary value have carrier liability limits. Please contact us at info@pafak.com if you have questions regarding insurance. To view our Insurance Certificate, please click on Insurance Certificate here.

Pacific Alaska Freightways has trained staff on site to handle your Hazardous Material Shipments in compliance with Title 49 Code of Federal Regulations. A small fee is assessed Hazardous Material Shipments due to special handling and trailer placard requirements. In addition, special requirements exist for our handling Class C Explosives. Please click here for those requirements.

PAF History ] [ Shipping to Alaska ] [ Industries Served ] [ Communications ] [ COD ] [ Logistics ]
[ K.F.F. ] [ Packaging ] [ Documentation ] [ Insurance Cert. ] [ Hazardous Mat.] [Credit Application]