Fuel surcharge for AML rising to 22.5% on Sept. 27; was 9.5% in June 2025

Iran war caused spike from 11% this March to 18.5% in April; current rate of 16% among lowest in Alaska as other regions have also seen significant cost increases

An Alaska Marine Lines barge in dock. (Lyden Inc. press release photo)

By Mark Sabbatini

Juneau Independent

Alaska Marine Lines is increasing its fuel surcharge to 22.5% on Sunday, up from the current rate of 16% and a rate of 9.5% in June 2025.

The rate increased to 12% late that month, then dropped to 11% in November before spiking to 18.5% in early April — mirroring a large increase in global fuel prices due to the Iran war that started in late February. Fuel prices would subsequently drop — as did AML’s surcharge to 14.5% in late June before rising to 16% in late August — but are again surging, with some predictions they could go much higher.

Other regions served by AML in Alaska, Hawaii and the Yukon have also seen a sharp increase in surcharges, but increases set for Sunday are only for Southeast Alaska, the Yukon (at 29.5%, up from 23%) and inland trucking (13.4%, up from 12.9%).

Questions submitted Sunday by the Juneau Independent to Lynden Inc., AML’s parent company, about the latest surcharge increase did not receive a reply as of Tuesday morning.

About 95% of goods in Juneau arrive via ship, with Alaska Marine Lines as the primary cargo shipper, said Brian Holst, executive director of the Juneau Economic Development Council, in an interview Tuesday. He said shipping typically accounts for about 10% of the cost of grocery store items — so a 6% jump in shipping would equate to a 0.6% price increase for groceries.

"I also think it's important for people to know that these (surcharge increases) don't immediately change the prices of an item," he said. "These companies all have contracts, but, yes, over time if these surcharges are maintained they translate into higher prices."

The updated surcharge for Southeast Alaska remains lower than for most other regions AML serves, according to the company’s website. Listed surcharges are 11.5% for Arctic/Western Alaska, 13.4% for inland/trucking, 29% for Central Alaska and Cordova/Valdez, 29.5% for the Yukon, 31% for Dutch Harbor, Kodiak and the Aleutians, and 31.5% for Hawaii.

Numerous other companies involved in transport, from airlines to mail services, are also imposing fuel-related surcharges and fees. Mark Zandi, chief economist at Moody’s Analytics, told CNBC earlier this month the total bill per household since the U.S.-Iran conflict began is about $1,760.

• Contact Mark Sabbatini at editor@juneauindependent.com or (907) 957-2306.