Current Fuel Surcharge - Percentage Based

Shipments on which a percentage-based fuel surcharge will be assessed are: (1) non-public rates/charges in transportation contracts; (2) commodities moving in an exempt car type; and (3) traffic subject to specific exemption pursuant to 49 C.F.R. 1039 and 1090.

Fuel Surcharge Basics

The fuel surcharge is based on the level of an OPIS index. The surcharge IS updated monthly, based on the first (non-holiday) workday of the previous month. For example, the surcharge applied to shipments in February is based on the OPIS average from the first workday in January.

The fuel surcharge will increase by 0.5% for each additional 0.050 increase in the OPIS index.

Shipments on which a mileage-based fuel surcharge will be assessed include public, regulated and non-contract shipments.

How is the fuel surcharge determined?

On the first workday of each month, we note the OPIS price which determines the fuel surcharge for the next month.

Why did you choose the OPIS index?

OPIS is the most widely accepted fuel price benchmark for supply contracts. The index we use is the one that most closely resembles our total fuel costs.

How often will the fuel surcharge change?

The fuel surcharge will change every month according to the OPIS index.

Which month's fuel surcharge will apply to my shipment?

In-state movements will be assessed a surcharge based on the waybill date. Interline / Barge movements will be assessed a surcharge based on the Bill of Lading origin date.

A few examples:

Railcar leaves Anchorage on January 31^st.
Arrives Fairbanks on February 1^st.
Fuel Surcharge Month: January

Railcar leaves Healy on February 20^th
Arrives Seward on February 22^nd
Fuel Surcharge Month: February

Railcar leaves Texas for Anchorage on February 5^th.
Arrives in Whittier on March 10^th.
Arrives in Anchorage on March 12^th.
Fuel Surcharge Month: February

Railcar leaves California for Fairbanks on March 30^th.
Arrives in Whittier on April 28^th.
Arrives Fairbanks on May 2^nd.
Fuel Surcharge Month: March

What if my shipment involves other railroads?

In order to avoid tracking all the different fuel surcharge rates for other railroads, The Alaska Railroad's fuel surcharge percentage will be applied to the entire length of an interline move. Fuel surcharges assessed by another railroad will be remitted to them by ARRC.

Current Tariffs

ARRC Seward Terminal Tariff ARR 600-B (updated January 2022)

ARRC Whittier Terminal Tariff ARR 601-B (updated January 2022)

FT ARR 3001-C Freight Between Points in Canada/Contiguous US & Points in AK

FT ARR 3016-U Freight Between Stations in Alaska

FT ARR 4009–T Petroleum

FT ARR 4105–AH Coal

Exempt Rate Memo #2 AG

FT ARR 9003-W General Rules

FT ARR 9049–X Demurrage

Mileage calculations used in determining the fuel surcharge will be based on the shortest, non-familized railway miles as identified in the PC*Miler Rail application from ALK Technologies.

Refer to Table C – Alaska Railroad Railway Miles – for railway mileage between routes routinely serviced by the Alaska Railroad.

ARRC also provides a clearance service for your freight. This means we can determine whether the dimensions of your load will be able to move over railroads throughout Alaska, Canada, and the United States. For tight clearances in Alaska we can provide a tunnel "walkthrough" service.

The shipper or loader must give Customer Service accurate measurements of equipment and/or shipment, including center of gravity information (if applicable). Over-length loads must be pre-authorized by ARRC.

These are the general guidelines for shipping open-top loads. For information on car loading, clearances, booking and car location, call Alaska Railroad Customer Service or your account representative.

Load Manual

AKRR Public Clearance Calculator tool for clients to get an estimated clearance if their shipment will have any clearance issues.