History
Alaska Air Forwarding

Alaska Air Forwarding traces it’s origins back to 1965 when founder Wayne Hendricks journeyed to Alaska to promote a buying service to Alaska fisherman.  The industrial infrastructure for supporting the large Alaska fishing industry as well as construction, mining, logging and the military did not exist in Anchorage or elsewhere in the state.  Almost everything came from or through Seattle as it had for the last 100 years.

The buying service was a success however the founder saw more potential in an air freight forwarder operation serving not only the Alaska fishermen but all of the state.

In 1969 Arctic Air Freight was created.  Based in Seattle with an office in Anchorage it sourced and flew machinery items to the state of Alaska from all over the country. 

The freight forwarding business to Alaska was strong and got a substantial boost with the building of the trans Alaska pipeline.  Business flourished throughout the ‘70’s and early ’80’s.  With the decline of high oil prices and the ending of the pipeline construction the business slowed. 

The company was sold in 1988 to Bill Ferrari and Jeff Dornes.  Both individuals had extensive airfreight forwarder backgrounds and continue to run the company today.   When purchased there were just four people handling day-to-day operations.  The two new owners focused on the Alaska Fishing industry.   Though seasonal it is the basis of most of the revenue in the domestic division.

During a downturn in the fishing cycle the company sought to diversify.  The first and logical approach was to open an international division. 

In 1996 World Cargo International Services was formed.  World Cargo is currently run by Rob Blankenship, who brings with him many years of both forwarder and carrier experience.  Unlike Alaska Air Forwarding, World Cargo does not focus on any one industry.  From the beginning the company moved many different commodities.  Fur pelts, perishables, household goods and fishing equipment just to name a few.  As the company developed a niche it became more of a “project” forwarder.  That is it specialized in special projects for a variety of clients needing such a service in the Pacific Northwest .  Motorcycles to China , Mushrooms to Germany , raw fur pelts to Korea or construction material to Singapore . 

The company rarely turns any viable project away.  Rather Rob and his staff work with a client to find a common platform from which the job will get done.  Ten years later the veteran crew offers international trucking and ocean forwarding along with international airfreight and brokerage services.  

World Cargo International Services is a charter member in the World Cargo Alliance.  A worldwide network of agents determined to bring constancy and stability to international shipping.  Every company that applies to join WCA is individually and carefully examined to ensure high standards of professionalism and experience.   More than two-thirds of the applications to join WCA are rejected. WCA's experts not only take a close look at potential applicants but continue to monitor their performance and that of their fellow members on a full-time basis to ensure the strict rules of the network are adhered to. Likewise, members appreciate the benefits - no-one at WCA can remember the last time a company voluntarily resigned from membership.

Belonging to the WCA is like having your own office next door.

Today World Cargo International Services is a substantial contributor to the health and stability of the company.