Q: What areas do you serve?
A:
Southeast Alaska
Central Alaska
Western Alaska
Hawaii
Q: When are your sailings?
A:
Southeast Alaska Sailing Schedule
Central Alaska Sailing Schedule
Western Alaska Sailing Schedule
Hawaii Sailing Schedule
Q: What are your transit times?
A: Transit times are approximate and are suject to change due to changes in port rotation and weather conditions during the sailing
Southeast
- Seattle to Ketchikan
- Seattle to Petersburg
- Seattle to Juneau
- Seattle to Sitka
- Seattle to Wrangell
- Seattle to Thorne Bay
- Seattle to Metlakatla
|
4 days
5 days
5 days
5 days
5 days
5 days
6 days
|
Central
- Seattle to Whittier
- Seattle to Anchorage
- Seattle to Fairbanks
|
8 days
10 days
12 days
|
Hawaii
Westward
These transit times vary due to the weather and changes in port rotation. Be sure to contact our Customer Service Department at (800) 426-3113 for current arrival dates.
Q: What address do I send my shipment to in Seattle?
A: Terminal 115, 6700 West Marginal Way Southwest, Seattle, WA 98106
Q: What hours are you open for receiving cargo in Seattle?
A: Monday through Friday 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Q: What address do I send my shipment to in Anchorage?
A: 660 Western Drive, Anchorage, AK 99501
Q: What hours are open for receiving cargo in Anchorage?
A: Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Q: Where do I send my shipment in other ports?
A:
Please follow this link for a list of contacts.
Q: How much lead time do I need to make a booking?
A: Approximately 10 days prior to the sailing is optimum for Western Alaska and Hawaii shipments, 4 days prior to sailing for Central Alaska and 2 days prior to sailing for Southeast Alaska. However, if a booking is not made in advance and space is available we will do our best to accommodate your shipment.
Q: Should I make a booking for my shipment even though it is only a few boxes?
A: Making a booking is not necessary for only a few boxes as long as you can provide the following information at time of receiving at our terminal: Name, address and phone number of the recipient of the cargo at final destination and name, address and phone number of party paying the freight charges. In some cases payment may be required prior to shipment.
Follow this link to make a booking
Q: What kind of documentation do I need to ship my cargo?
A: When delivering your cargo to us for shipment you need to fill out and sign a Northland Services (for cargo moving to/from Alaska), or an Aloha Cargo (for cargo moving to/from Hawaii) Bill of Lading. The Bill of Lading is a contract between the carrier (NSI/ACT) and shipper (customer) and should be properly completed. (
Click here to view instructions for completing a Bill of Lading). It is very important that each customer provide NSI/ACT with the following information:
- Name, address and telephone number of both the shipper and the consignee.
- Port of Origin and Port of Destination
- Number of packages/pieces, and an accurate description of the goods being shipped, value* (if you would like additional cargo legal liability), weight and measurements of the shipment.
- Payment-(indicate how the freight charges are to be paid): Prepaid- pay at the time of delivery to the port of origin; Collect- Pay at the time of pick up at the port of destination; Charge- Charge either the shipper or consignee account (requires approved credit and account number).
- Shipper's Signature
Bills of Lading are available on line or at the receiving desk at time of delivery. Follow this link.
Q: How do I pay for my shipment?
A:
Prepaid Freight: Individuals who have not pre-established credit must pay prior to shipment. All shipments of Household Goods need to be prepaid as well as most personal automobiles and boats. This can be done at the time you drop your cargo off at the origin terminal in the form of cash, check, wire transfer, Visa/MasterCard or a Purchase Order from a qualified seafood company. Credit card transactions can also be handled via telephone authorization, once the actual weights and dimensions are confirmed by our receiving staff.
Freight Collect: For shipments other then those listed above in Prepaid Freight you may ship your cargo freight collect. This means the consignee at the port of discharge must pay the freight charges prior to the release of the cargo at its destination.
Charge/Third Party Billing: Once you have established credit with Northland Services/Aloha Cargo by filling out a credit application and receiving approval, you may ship your cargo and we will bill to the approved billing address on the Northland/Aloha Cargo bill of lading.
Q: How do we establish credit?
A: Print the Credit Application Form and fax it to 206-767-5579 or mail it to the following address:
Northland Services, Inc
P.O. Box 24527
Seattle, WA 98124
Link to Credit Application
You will be notified by our Credit Department when credit is approved. First time shipments are not typically made on a credit account basis.
Q: If I am shipping Express Mail (UPS, FedEx, DHL) how should I have the package marked so they know it is for me?
A: If you are having a package sent via an express mail carrier or another overland carrier, you want to make sure that it is clearly marked with both our address and marked to the attention of the consignee with their phone number. Example:
Northland Services, Inc.
Attn: John Doe/Sitka, AK 907-555-5555
Northland Booking# (if known)
Terminal 115, 6700 W. Marginal Way
Seattle, WA 98106
Q: How will I know when my shipment has arrived at its destination?
A: Once your shipment has arrived at its destination, you will be notified by someone at the terminal about any charges due, and the need to arrange for delivery or pick up. You can also check our website for the status of the voyage your cargo is sailing on and then contact the staff at the destination terminal to make arrangements in advance.
Link to Voyage Status
Q: How do I package my shipment?
A:
Link to Packaging Requirements
Instead of cargo insurance, NSI/ACT provides basic and extended cargo liability to cover losses or damages to cargo. If you have any questions about cargo insurance, please refer to rule #573 in our
Governing Rules Tariff.
Q: Are my Household Goods covered by insurance during shipment?
A: Yes. Household goods are covered while in NSI/ACT possession up to a value of sixty cents ($.60) per POUND per article. Please refer to rule #573 in our
Governing Rules Tariff for further detail on insurance coverage.
Q: Can I get more coverage on my Household Goods?
A: Yes. You can make an "Increased Valuation Declaration" which means that NSI/ACT agrees to extend coverage up to the value you declare. There is a 2% surcharge calculated against the total value of the shipment that will be added to your freight bill.
Q: Does NSI/ACT cover damage to my Household Goods if my moving company or I load them into the shipping container?
A: No. NSI/ACT does not cover shipper loaded Household Goods for transit related damage. If lost overboard, NSI/ACT will pay you sixty cents ($0.60) per pound, or your declared increased value shown on your Bill of Lading for the loss of your property.
Q: Will NSI/ACT help prepare my Household Goods for shipment?
A: No. NSI/ACT is a shipping company, not a packaging company. It is your responsibility to present furnishings to NSI/ACT for shipment that are adequately packaged/protected for an ocean voyage. We do not access, transload or otherwise modify your sealed shipping container once it has been received.
Q: If I decide to load my own container, whom should I call for pick up or delivery of my container?
A: Seattle Dispatch at (206) 763-3000 or (800) 426-3113, or Anchorage Dispatch at (907) 276-4030
Link to Household Goods Shipping Document
Q: What do I need to know about shipping my auto?
A: There are several things you should know about shipping an auto:
- All auto shipments must be prepaid in full, unless credit has been established in writing with NSI/ACT.
- The auto needs to be delivered to us with less than ¼ tank of fuel. This is a U.S. Coast Guard regulation. If the auto contains more than a ¼ tank of fuel, there will be a fuel drainage fee added to your freight bill.
- You may ship personal effects inside your auto, except for autos shipping to Hawaii. Remember that those items are only accepted at a released valuation of $.60 cents per pound for insurance purposes. The weight of your Household Goods must be noted on the bill of lading for this coverage to apply. NOTE - Enough room must be left for our personnel to get safely in your auto, drive it into the container and be able to get out. In Hawaii, we have limitations imposed by other entities and must comply with more stringent requirements.
- The following items may not be shipped in your auto: Hazardous Materials, Items of Extraordinary Value, Goods shipped for sale or speculation, or Firearms.
- If the auto is inoperable through no fault of NSI/ACT there will be an additional charge at origin and destination for loading and off-loading the vehicle.
- NSI/ACT staff will inspect your auto. Any scratches, dents, chips, tears, broken pieces, etc will be noted on the inspection form. Please be prepared to wait while we inspect your auto. You will be given a copy of the inspection report for your records.
Q: What do I need to know about shipping my boat?
A: There are several things you need to know about shipping a boat.
- The shipper must provide the necessary skids, cradles, chocks, or other devices necessary to insure safe handling. If a trailer is used to secure the boat an additional charge for the trailer will be assessed when shipping the boat to the Central Alaska area or the Western Alaska area.
- Sailboats must have the masts dismounted and securely fastened to the deck. The masts must not project beyond the ends or sides of the boat.
- Personal effects and other items, other then factory installed equipment, stowed inside boats, will be accepted at a released valuation of $0.60 cents per pound for insurance purposes. The weight of your Household Goods must be noted on the bill of lading for this coverage to apply.
- NSI/ACT staff will inspect your boat. Any scratches, dents, chips, tears, broken pieces, etc will be noted on the inspection form. Please be prepared to wait while we inspect your boat. You will be given a copy of the inspection report for your records.
Follow this link to boat related shipping documents
Q: Can I deliver my boat by water in Seattle?
A: Yes, NSI/ACT is fully equipped to pick your boat out of the water.
Q: Is there an additional charge to pick my boat out of the water in Seattle?
A: Please contact our Customer Service Department for a quote at (800) 426-3113.
Q: Are there additional charges to put my boat in the water at it's destination?
A: Please contact our Customer Service Department for a quote at (800) 426-3113.
Q: What are the dimensions of your containers?
A:
Follow this link to container dimensions.
Q: Are there any special requirements for shipping trucks and equipment to Hawaii?
A:
Follow this link for Hawaii special requirements.