Case Study: MD Commercial Electric & Alaska Marine Lines

A Partnership Forged in Crisis, Solidified by Reliability

MD Commercial Electric delivers critical electrical infrastructure solutions for Alaska Marine Lines, preventing millions in potential losses and ensuring operational continuity for a vital logistics hub.

Alaska Marine Lines (AML) operates a sprawling, 50+ year-old industrial facility in Seattle, a critical node in their logistics network. The facility's refrigerated container operations are immense, with a capacity of up to 1,000 reefer units during peak season and a monthly electricity bill nearing $1 million. When aging infrastructure threatened to bring operations to a standstill, AML turned to MD Commercial Electric for a solution. Over the past 2.5 years, what began as a service contract has evolved into a deep, on-site partnership, demonstrating MD Commercial Electric's commitment to reliability, safety, and client success.

The Challenge: Aging Infrastructure at a Breaking Point

MD Commercial Electric’s team, led by General Foreman Jesse Dishman, faced a facility grappling with decades of deferred maintenance. The primary challenges included:

• Aging Electrical Systems: The 50-year-old infrastructure was ill-equipped to handle the massive and growing electrical load of the reefer operations.

• Safety and Compliance: Much of the equipment did not meet current National Electrical Code standards, posing significant safety risks.

• Operational Disruption: The 24/7 nature of AML's business meant that any shutdown for repairs had to be meticulously planned to avoid costly downtime.

• Unreliable Past Contractors: AML had struggled with previous electrical contractors who were unresponsive and, in some cases, untrustworthy.

These underlying issues culminated in a catastrophic failure in September 2023, during the peak of the fishing season. A medium voltage failure knocked out power to nearly 500 refrigerated containers, each holding approximately $250,000 worth of product. With over $100 million in cargo at risk and the facility facing an estimated $1 million in secondary costs for generator fuel and downtime, a rapid and effective solution was imperative.

"They're seeing that catastrophic failures are costing a million dollars, but we could have prevented it for $5,000," explains Jesse Dishman, highlighting the critical need for proactive maintenance.

The Solution: From Emergency Response to Embedded Partner

MD Commercial Electric’s response to the medium voltage crisis was swift and comprehensive. The team immediately coordinated with Seattle City Light to diagnose the failure, which was traced to a lack of maintenance on a critical 13.8kV distribution system. The solution involved a multi-faceted approach:

1. Rapid Fabrication and Repair: MD’s shop fabricated custom bus bars and other components needed for the repair, while a partner, CBS, rebuilt the faulty medium voltage breaker.

2. Maintaining Operations: The team implemented a temporary generator power strategy and rerouted electricity to unaffected areas, ensuring that not a single container of product was lost.

3. System-Wide Overhaul: Over a two-month period, MD Commercial Electric rebuilt the entire medium voltage system, performing comprehensive cleaning, torquing, and testing to bring it back to original specifications and ensure long-term reliability.

Beyond this critical incident, MD Commercial Electric has become an embedded partner in AML's daily operations. This includes installing new 480V reefer plugs, upgrading service infrastructure, and establishing a proactive, on-site maintenance program. All work is meticulously scheduled around AML's operational needs, often during nights and weekends, to eliminate disruption.

The Results: Measurable Impact on Safety, Reliability, and the Bottom Line

The partnership has delivered significant, quantifiable results for Alaska Marine Lines.

Metric	Result
Product Loss Prevention	$0 in lost product during a crisis that threatened over $100 million in cargo.
System Reliability	Zero medium voltage failures since the comprehensive system rebuild.
Cost Savings	Avoided an estimated $1 million in downtime and generator fuel costs.
Operational Uptime	Minimized disruption through meticulous planning and off-hours work.
Safety & Compliance	All new installations meet or exceed National Electrical Code standards.
Return on Investment	Demonstrated a 200:1 ROI by showing how a $5,000 preventative action could have avoided a $1 million failure.

Most importantly, MD Commercial Electric has provided AML with a reliable, trustworthy partner they can count on 24/7. Jesse Dishman and his team have established a deep understanding of the facility's complex systems and a close working relationship with AML's management.

"These guys have never lacked our services in any way," Dishman states. "I've gotten plenty of calls at 10pm on a Saturday night or noon on a Sunday and I've responded... Any potential customer can expect nothing less. Absolutely, 100%."

Conclusion: Powering the Future

The relationship between MD Commercial Electric and Alaska Marine Lines serves as a powerful case study in the value of expertise, reliability, and a true partnership approach. By moving from a reactive, emergency-fix model to a proactive, on-site maintenance and improvement strategy, MD has not only saved AML from catastrophic losses but has also positioned them for future growth. With plans for further medium voltage system upgrades and a formal long-term maintenance program, MD Commercial Electric is set to remain an indispensable partner in powering AML's continued success.

As Jesse Dishman puts it, "We can handle anywhere from the design, the installation, and the maintenance afterwards. And that's one thing that we've developed out here with Alaska Marine Lines."