Alaska outlines Arctic deep sea port ambitions

Alaska Senator Mark Begich confirmed that the move is part of a bigger plan to improve facilities for shipping in the region.

“Do we need a deep water port? Yes. Do we need additional ports? Yes. Better communications systems, weather satellites, helicopter hangers, pipeline activity to move what’s in the Chukchi and Beaufort to our overall pipeline that moves it down to Valdez,” Mr Begich said.

The legislation to create the Arctic Port Authority was introduced in September, which will be the starting point for the creation of “an independent, semi-private, US Arctic Deep Water Port Authority to plan, finance and build and maintain such a port”.