Port of Alaska hit with $500,000 steel tariffs

KTVA Channel 11 News
By: Joe Vigil

It was unexpected and unwanted for the Port of Alaska in Anchorage. The port just got hit with steel tariffs from the Trump administration. This as the port moves forward with an estimated billion-dollar port modernization project.

Port officials say they purchased some steel pilings that will be inserted into other pilings that are corroded. Those pilings support the docks. Port officials say the contractor notified them that it was being billed by U.S. Customs an extra $500,000 in steel tariffs. Port leaders say they ordered the parts before tariffs went into place.

Port staff were expected to meet with Municipality of Anchorage staff members and attorneys on Thursday to discuss the tariffs "and see if there's anything we can, any recourse we might have to mitigate this in whole or in part," said Port Director Steve Ribuffo.

Ribuffo says it's too early to tell if the cost of the project would increase due to the tariffs.

Meanwhile, the port continues searching for ways to finance the massive billion dollar project. Port External Affairs Director Jim Jager says the port currently has only $56 million in available funds for the modernization.

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