ANCHORAGE, Alaska—
Nome will get fuel from a Russian tanker courtesy of an Alaskan Native corporation.
The Sitnasuak Native Corporation announced Monday that it has signed a contract with Vitus Marine LLC to use a double-hulled Ice Classed Russian tanker to deliver 1.5 million gallons of home heating oil, unleaded gasoline and diesel fuel to Nome.
The plan was put in place after a barge delivery of fuel this fall got delayed because of a massive storm that hit the west coast of Alaska. By the time the weather had settled down, Nome was iced-in.
Sitnasuak board chairman Jason Evans says if the marine tanker succeeds, it will be the first time that petroleum products were delivered by sea in winter to a western Alaska community.
