News

TOTE announces shift to unified brand for maritime companies

September 17, 2015

Totem Ocean Trailer Express, Sea Star Line are now TOTE Maritime

Princeton, NJ. – TOTE, one of the nations most respected Jones Act carriers, today announced a shift within its operating companies. Sea Star Line, which serves Puerto Rico and the Caribbean, and Totem Ocean Trailer Express, serving the Alaska market, will now be known collectively as TOTE Maritime.

Both companies provide critical infrastructure and cargo to Alaska and Puerto Rico and are market leaders. Sea Star Line has delivered goods to Puerto Rico for more than 30 years with twice weekly reliable service that is responsible for goods traveling from the U.S. to the island.

Totem Ocean Trailer Express also provides twice weekly service to Alaska and is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year. Totem Ocean delivers goods that are needed by communities throughout Alaska.

In addition to their successful track records serving the market, both companies are switching their vessels to run on natural gas, part of TOTE’s long term strategy to be the most environmentally friendly shipping company in the world. Totem Ocean will begin the conversion of its first ship to natural gas this fall. “This is an exciting time, not just for our company but for the industry as a whole. TOTE Maritime and the TOTE organization will always strive to be the most reliable, responsive, and resourceful shipping company in the U.S. to meet the needs of our customers and the communities we serve” noted John Parrott, President of Totem Ocean Trailer Express.

Tim Nolan, President of Sea Star line also commented that “TOTE’s Puerto Rico service is preparing to welcome the world’s first natural gas powered containerships. This is a key component of the TOTE LNG strategy and is a reflection of our commitment to the island and the communities we serve. The shift to TOTE Maritime enables us to highlight the changes we are making nationally.”
TOTE Maritime is part of the TOTE family of companies which also includes TOTE Services, a leading edge ship management company that specializes in natural gas projects and technical services for both government and commercial vessels.

Check out the new TOTE Maritime website at www.totemaritime.com

TOTE Launches World’s First LNG Powered Containership

April 18, 2015

Isla Bella will Serve Puerto Rico Once in Service

San Diego, CA– More than 3,200 gathered to watch as the world’s first liquefied natural gas (LNG) powered containership, christened Isla Bella, was launched tonight in San Diego. The ships’ owner TOTE, in partnership with General Dynamics NASSCO, celebrated the completion of the first of two Marlin Class containerships headed to Puerto Rico later this year.

The use of LNG as a marine fuel in the U.S. defines a major shift for the industry. By switching to LNG, TOTE is reducing NOx emissions by 98 percent, SOx by 97 percent, carbon dioxide by 72 and particulate matter by 60 percent in the Puerto Rico trade.

In his remarks Anthony Chiarello, President and CEO of TOTE noted “Building the Marlins has been about change as well as bold and innovative thinking. NASSCO and our other partners have enabled us to build these ships that reflect our commitment to the environment and doing what is right.”

The Marlin Class vessels have attracted international attention as the first cargo ships in the world to run on natural gas. In addition to their improved environmental profile, the Marlins will represent a new standard in safety and TOTE’s long-term commitment to the people of Puerto Rico.

The Chairman of Saltchuk, TOTE’s parent company, Mark Tabbutt thanked the many partners who worked on the new generation of containership. “We especially want to thank the hundreds of men and women that did the real work – the welding, the piping, the lifting, the planning, the electrical, the designing, the logistics, the painting, and all the other work that went into making these ships a reality.” He went on to recognize the support of the U.S. Maritime Administration and NASSCO for their long term partnership.

The ship’s name, Isla Bella, was selected from a contest hosted in partnership with the Boys and Girls Club of Puerto Rico. Isla Bella translates to beautiful island in English and will serve as a reminder of the cultural and economic significance of the ships for future generations.

Sophie Sacco, wife of Michael Sacco President of the Seafarers International Union, is the ship’s sponsor and had the honors of christening and launching the vessel.

Congressman Duncan Hunter, Chairman of the Subcommittee on the Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation provided the keynote address. “America’s maritime industry is critical not just for the economic benefits, but for national security purposes as well. With the launch of the world’s first natural gas-powered containership, NASSCO and TOTE prove that American shipbuilders and American ships can lead the industry in innovation, and it is my hope that American shipbuilders and operators can continue to build upon this success.”

General Paul Selva, Commander of the U.S. Transportation Command (TRANSCOM) also spoke. “This first Marlin class ship exemplifies the technology and innovation that the United States is known for. It also highlights the commitment of companies like TOTE to supporting the U.S. military and maritime sector that is vitally important to our national defense” he noted in his remarks.

“The launch of the Isla Bella signals a very significant milestone for the thousands of men and women at NASSCO. Not only does it commemorate NASSCO’s 100^th ship launch, it validates NASSCO’s capability to break new ground in green ship technology and lead in the design, construction, and conversion of ships to take advantage of the economic and environmental benefits of LNG,” said Fred Harris, president of General Dynamics NASSCO.

The Isla Bella will enter service in the fourth quarter of 2015 between Jacksonville, Florida and San Juan, Puerto Rico. The second Marlin Class vessel will be launched in the third quarter of 2015 and will enter service in the first quarter of 2016.