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Our History
A brief history of Northland Services
1977 – James J. Haagen launches Northland Services, Inc., in partnership with Dunlap Towing of La Conner, Washington, and Campbell Towing of Wrangell, Alaska. Northland’s sailings during this inaugural year consists of six voyages to Western Alaska.

1990’s – Northland moves its terminal from the unpaved facility in Kenmore to the east bank of the Duwamish Waterway.

2000 – Adsteam Marine Limited, Australia’s largest harbor towage operator, purchases 50% of Northland. Northland acquires Alaska Cargo Transport to complement the existing Central Alaska service. Northland also expands service into Hawaii with the acquisition of Aloha Cargo Transport. The merger of Boyer Alaska Barge Lines into Northland’s operation solidifies Northland’s market position in Southeast Alaska.

2004 – A team of regional investors, including two of the founding owners of Northland (Mr. Haagen and Dunlap Towing) and Endeavor Capital of Portland Oregon, complete a management-led buy-out of the company. This returns Northland to local ownership after a period of foreign ownership and refocuses the company back on its marine transportation origins. Ed Spaunhurst, a former CEO and driving force in the development of Northland’s seafood industry customer base, returns to Northland as a consultant and member of the board of directors. Also in 2004, Northland completes a consolidation of three Seattle terminal facilities into a single 70-acre site at the Port of Seattle’s Terminal 115.

2007 – In Northland’s 30th year of operation, it will handle more than 750,000 tons of cargo through its Terminal 115 facility in Seattle. Its sailing schedule will include nine Western Alaska sailings, 58 sailings to Southeast Alaska, 65 sailings to Central Alaska, and 25 sailings to Hawaii.