Posts Categorized: Alaska News
In 2020, Saltchuk companies gave $4M to the communities we live and work in
November 15, 2021
Giving of time, talent, and treasure in the communities that support our employees and businesses is a value the founding members of Saltchuk shared, and one that has become a cornerstone of our family business.
We are proud that in 2020, during an extraordinary year of challenge for so many, Saltchuk companies provided almost $4M million in grants, in-kind freight transportation, and employee-matching contributions in our communities.
In 2020, Saltchuk matched employee donations of $187,000 and gave another $1.76 million in cash grants through individual operating companies and Saltchuk Regional Giving Committees in Alaska, Hawaii, Washington, and Florida/the Caribbean. Our Regional Giving Program expanded its usual support of youth development and postsecondary education to include emergent needs such as food security, housing, and healthcare insurance related to the COVID-19 crisis. Our companies provided nearly $2 million in in-kind transportation for emergency supplies, recycling, food bank donations, and other community programs. Whether focused on health, the environment, social services, the arts, youth, and/or education, Saltchuk companies intend for their gifts to build capacity and resiliency in our communities.
As shareholders, we set a minimum target for community giving to ensure consistency and accountability to our value of giving back. As we reflect on the last year, we want to express our appreciation and gratitude to the communities and employees who support our family of companies. We hope this report provides a sense of ownership and pride, reflecting the values we share and the commitment we as shareholders feel to our communities.
– Saltchuk Shareholders
Jack Hagey, Jozette Montalvo named Saltchuk’s 2020 Safety Award winners
June 7, 2021
SEATTLE – Saltchuk is proud to announce that Jack Hagey of Foss Maritime and Jozette Montalvo of Hawaii Petroleum are the Saltchuk 2020 Safety Award honorees. Hagey, Chief Engineer onboard the Stacey Foss, will accept the President’s Award for Innovation in Safety. Montalvo, Vice President of Human Resources at Hawaii Petroleum, is the honoree for the Mike Garvey Award for Distinguished Service in Safety.
Montalvo was nominated by her supervisor, and company President Kimo Haynes.
Leadership in Uncertain Times
“Jozette was instrumental with the planning, execution, and management of our COVID protocols and response plan,” Haynes wrote of Montalvo in her nomination.
Hawaii Petroleum has 22 sites (18 convenience stores/gas stations, three wholesale warehouses, and the main office) that are staffed, and “our employees interact with the general public daily,” Haynes continued.
“Fuel distribution is considered critical infrastructure, and our facilities had to remain operational during the pandemic. Like most companies, we did not have a formal response plan in place for a global pandemic, and when COVID hit last year, we had to react and respond on the fly.”
According to Haynes, Hawaii Petroleum created a COVID response committee tasked with developing company policies, procedures, and protocols to remain operational and ensure employee and customer safety.
“Jozette took a leadership role in this committee and spearheaded the initial research effort,” wrote Haynes. “Although it seems simple, creating and implementing the framework to execute this was complex. Jozette’s (award) not only recognizes the time and effort she put in last year, but the effectiveness and results of the combined efforts she helped lead.”
The Hagey Handler Safety Innovation
Jack Hagey was nominated by his Supervisor Chris Mack, Jr. for his development of the “Hagey Handler,” a contraption designed to assist his shipmates on the barge when handling heavy or frozen lines at Red Dog Mine in Alaska. The Hagey Handler is a hand tool that the line handler brings with them and fits over the line. The line is fed into the “jaws” in a downward motion, forcing the jaws open to secure the often frozen, water-logged line in the “teeth.”
The handler can then use the handle to get more leverage and a better position for holding the line, reducing risk on the job.
Hagey fabricated the tool himself, developing several iterations until it was perfect.
“His shipmate approach to safety is honorable and should be recognized,” Mack wrote in his nomination.
Congratulations to Jack, Jozette, and all the 2020 nominees for making Saltchuk companies safe places to work, we look forward to sharing their stories in People of Saltchuk throughout the summer.
- Dustin Case – Captain, Aloha Air Cargo
- Tim Healey – Vice President, Human Resources, Northern Aviation Services
- Brandon Kurtzweil – Terminal Operator, Delta Western Petroleum
- Patrick Leahy- Chief Mate USNS Wheeler, TOTE Services
- Bill Lounsbery & Matthew Jarrett – Cargo Services Supervisor & Cargo Services Lead, Northern Air Cargo
- Zack Midles – Sr. Operations Analyst, TOTE Maritime Alaska
- Edward Rowe, Passenger Ramp Lead, Northern Air Maintenance Services
- Leroy Schlecht , Launch Operator, Foss Maritime
- Erika Vega, Risk Management Generalist, TOTE Maritime Puerto Rico
- Gregory Walz – Lead Terminal Operator, Delta Western Petroleum
Hyak Supply Chain Now Saltchuk Logistics
June 1, 2020
Hyak Supply Chain, which oversees Carlile and Shoreside Logistics, became Saltchuk Logistics on June 1, 2020. The rebrand came a year after the introduction of the holding company led by Rick Murrell, retired CEO of Tropical Shipping.
“This brings front and center the credibility of the Saltchuk name to our efforts,” said Murrell in an announcement to his leadership team. “Our objective is to continue to strengthen and profitably grow our existing businesses, provide defect-free service to our customers, and add new profitable niche opportunities that enhance the earnings of the Saltchuk enterprise.”
Other than the name, there are no changes to the structure or role of the holding company.
Learn more on the company’s website, www.SaltchukLogistics.com.
Saltchuk companies join the AK CAN DO campaign
April 21, 2020
Saltchuk companies joined the AK CAN DO campaign this week with a $25,000 contribution. The AK CAN DO campaign, partnership for COVID-19 Response, a partnership between the Alaska Community Foundation and United Way of Anchorage, was established to provide support to non-profits providing critical support across the state in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Saltchuk companies’ donation will support non-profits on the frontline of the COVID-19 response and families who have suffered economic hardship as a result of the crisis.
Saltchuk companies in Alaska include TOTE, Carlile, Northern Air Cargo, Cook Inlet Tug & Barge, Delta Western Petroleum, Inlet Energy, Alaska Petroleum Distributing, and Northern Oilfield Services.
“We are grateful for the amazing network of non-profit organizations across Alaska who serve the most vulnerable in our state,” said Dave Karp, Managing Director for Saltchuk in Alaska. “Today, more than ever, those organizations are rising to the challenge and meeting our community where they are needed most. This crisis has touched us all, and we are committed to not only keeping the supply chain running smoothly but to support our community however we can.”
Last year, Saltchuk companies contributed more than $630,000 in grants to Alaskan non-profit organizations and supported community efforts with more than $2 million in in-kind transportation.
Cook Inlet Tug & Barge Growth Streak Continues in Alaska
March 12, 2020
CITB adds versatile shallow-draft tug ideal for Arctic coastline
CITB is Alaska’s Tug & Barge Company
ANCHORAGE, ALASKA– Cook Inlet Tug and Barge (CITB) is adding an immensely versatile shallow draft tugboat, the Bristol Wind, to its fleet in mid-April. The uniquely designed tug will join her sister vessel, the Capt. Frank Moody, in support of the construction, and oil and gas industries’ remote cargo transportation needs along the Arctic coastline.
“Drawing just 3.2 feet, the Bristol Wind is uniquely designed to operate efficiently as a coastal tug. She has the unique ability to lighten the draft when water depths are extremely shallow – allowing her to safely service river and coastal locations that would otherwise be unreachable by conventional tugs,” said Michael O’Shea, Senior Director of Business Development and Planning at Cook Inlet Tug & Barge. “She will safely support projects throughout Alaska.”
Founded in 1924 as the Anderson & Son’s Transportation Company based in Seward, Cook Inlet Tug & Barge is committed to its Alaska roots. “We don’t call ourselves ‘Alaska’s tug & barge company’ without reason,” said Jeff Johnson, president of Cook Inlet Tug & Barge.
The Bristol Wind will join the CITB fleet in April.
With the addition of the Bristol Wind, Cook Inlet Tug & Barge’s fleet has grown to 11 vessels, five of which have joined the fleet in the last 16 months.
“We’re growing our fleet to meet increasing opportunity in Alaska. These investments reconfirm Cook Inlet Tug and Barge’s 96-year commitment to Alaska’s economy,” said Johnson.
The Bristol Wind will be homeported in Anchorage and repainted with the recognizable blue and white colors of Cook Inlet Tug & Barge.
ABOUT COOK INLET TUG & BARGE
Founded in Alaska in 1924, Cook Inlet Tug & Barge is a marine transportation company, specializing in harbor services and fuel distribution, with focus on the Port of Anchorage and Cook Inlet, Seward, Southeast Alaska, Aleutian Islands, the North Slope, and Western Alaska.
Hiring for the summer season has begun! Openings for Vessel Masters, Mates, Engineers and Able Seamen/Tankermen available for 4-8 month rotational positions starting in April. For more information, visit http://www.cookinlettug.com/careers.