News

TOTE, Saltchuk featured in ANGA’s new ad

February 17, 2015

New Think About It ad will highlight TOTE’s LNG-powered containerships

The world’s first natural gas powered containerships are getting national attention as the focus of the newest advertisement in the Think About It campaign sponsored by America’s Natural Gas Alliance (ANGA).

The ad, which launched today, highlights TOTE Maritime’s new liquefied natural gas (LNG) containerships. The ships have received praise within the shipping industry since the company made the announcement it was building them in December of 2012, but ANGA’s campaign is expected to catapult the project to the national stage, drawing attention to innovation and environmental responsibility in U.S. shipping.

“TOTE Maritime is the first U.S. maritime company to announce the conversion of its fleet to natural gas,” noted Anthony Chiarello, President and CEO of TOTE, the parent company of TOTE Maritime. “Switching to natural gas will significantly reduce our emissions, improving air quality for our employees and the communities we serve.”

Construction of the first of two new Marlin class ships is nearing completion at the General Dynamics NASSCO shipyard in San Diego, Calif. The first ship will enter service between Jacksonville, Fla., and San Juan, Puerto Rico later this year as the most advanced, environmentally responsible vessel of its kind. The second ship will enter service in early 2016.

“We’re thrilled to highlight TOTE Maritime’s leadership in using natural gas to fuel its newest containership,” ANGA President and CEO Marty Durbin said. “This innovative ship marks a major milestone in the growing use of natural gas for marine transportation, driven by natural gas’ abundant supply and clear environmental benefits.”

TOTE also has plans to convert two of its existing ships serving Anchorage, Alaska, from the Port of Tacoma, Wash., to LNG by 2017. In both markets, the use of natural gas will significantly reduce particulate matter and carbon dioxide emissions along with sulfur oxide and nitrogen oxide.

Mark Tabbutt, Chairman of Seattle-based Saltchuk, the owner of TOTE, commented, “We are proud of TOTE and the work that it is doing to advance LNG as an alternative maritime fuel. It’s an honor and a privilege to have this story told on a national scale.”

ANGA’s ad campaign highlights TOTE and Saltchuk’s investment and leadership in clean energy solutions. Television and radio ads will air today in national outlets and various media markets.

Saltchuk, Foss and Totem Ocean sign climate declaration

October 27, 2014

Saltchuk, Foss and Totem Ocean join more than 100 Washington businesses in signing climate declaration

SEATTLE, WA. – Over 100 businesses, including Virginia Mason, Microsoft, REI, and Saltchuk today launched an open declaration calling for action on climate change. The Washington Business Climate Declaration highlights the support of state business leaders for action on climate change that would preserve and expand our state’s vibrant economy.

The declaration states: “There is a clear and present need for action on climate change to protect our region’s natural assets, its vibrant communities and its growing economy. We business leaders of the Pacific Northwest endorse the Climate Declaration because we support using energy efficiently, investing in cleaner fuels, advancing renewable energy, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.”

Quotes from Business Leaders:

“In the face of the increasing challenges presented by climate change, Washington State’s innovative spirit creates opportunity to help develop solutions and help to preserve our outstanding quality of life,” said Rob Bernard, Chief Environmental and Cities Strategist at Microsoft Corporation.

“The scientific evidence shows that climate change is real and has significant health impacts,” said Gary Kaplan, MD, CEO and Chairman of Virginia Mason. “We all need to take action to respond to climate change in order to protect the health of future generations.”

“The Chamber sees climate change as a significant risk to our economy and unique quality of life, but it also poses an opportunity. Our region’s businesses have designed products and services that have improved lives around the planet and they are uniquely positioned to provide solutions to our global climate and energy challenges. We support putting our businesses in a position to be the first mover on this global opportunity,” said Maud Daudon, President and CEO of the Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce.

“Here in Washington we have natural beauty all around. Our members’ lives are better because they can enjoy the outdoors,” said Jerry Stritzke, REI President and CEO. “That’s a constant reminder of why business and government just have to work together on climate change. It’s real and it can’t be ignored, so we are here to listen and take part in the dialogue about what should be done.”

“We are proud to join companies across Washington in signing the Climate Declaration,” said Mark Tabbutt, Chairman of Saltchuk, whose subsidiaries Foss Maritime and Totem Ocean Trailer Express have also signed the Declaration. “We have made substantial investments in clean technology and alternative fuels that have set new standards in reducing carbon emissions and improving air quality in the marine transportation industry.”

“With ocean acidification impacting our ability to produce young oysters to stock our farms we understand all too well the importance of tackling the carbon pollution problem,” said Bill Taylor, President of Taylor Shellfish. “Washington’s Business Climate Declaration is a strong statement from our state’s business leaders that it is time to act and that doing so should be seen as an opportunity not a threat.”

Businesses driving peer-to-peer engagement, momentum for climate action in Washington

Leaders from the signatory companies encourage other businesses to join them. Companies interested in signing the declaration can do so at http://climatedeclaration.us/wa — the page includes the full list of companies that have signed the Washington Business Climate Declaration.

The Washington Business Climate Declaration is a companion to the Climate Declaration launched in 2013 by Ceres, a nonprofit sustainability advocacy organization, and its business network, Business for Innovative Climate & Energy Policy. The Climate Declaration has more than 1,000 signatories nationwide. See the nationwide list here.

PSE, Totem Ocean sign fuel supply agreement

October 27, 2014

PSE to Provide LNG to Totem Ocean’s Vessels

Bellevue– Puget Sound Energy (PSE), Washington state’s oldest local energy company, and Totem Ocean Trailer Express (Totem Ocean) today announced they have signed a contract for PSE to provide liquefied natural gas (LNG) to fuel Totem Ocean’s two Tacoma, Washington-based Orca-class cargo ships.

PSE will provide Totem Ocean with fuel for their ships that are being converted from diesel to cleaner-burning LNG. Using LNG will allow Totem Ocean to exceed new, stricter emission standards in the maritime shipping industry.

“PSE is excited to be working with a company like Totem Ocean that shares so many of our values,” said Paul Wiegand, PSE Senior Vice President, Energy Operations. “We are both proud to be a part of this community, sharing a long history as employers in Tacoma, Pierce County and the region and a commitment to environmental innovation.”

PSE is working to develop a new, state-of-the-art LNG production and storage facility at the Port of Tacoma to ensure continued dependable natural gas service for the company’s 760,000 residential and commercial natural gas customers by providing additional gas supply during times of peak demand. The facility will malso meet the LNG supply needs of Totem Ocean and other potential transportation customers. A property lease with the Port of Tacoma was approved in August 2014 and environmental review of the proposed facility has begun. Construction is expected to take about three years once all agreements are finalized and permits have been obtained.

“In order to reduce our environmental impact, Totem Ocean is converting its ships to operate on LNG and we are excited to be partnering with PSE.” said John Parrott, Totem Ocean President. “PSE’s new facility will provide vital new infrastructure making the use of LNG as a transportation fuel a reality in the Pacific Northwest.”

In 2012, Totem Ocean announced plans to upgrade its two existing cargo vessels to run on LNG. This innovative and environmentally friendly investment will help Totem Ocean lower their emissions to exceed the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) new air emissions standards and improve air quality for the people and communities they serve.

For updates on the Tacoma LNG facility visit PSE’s project website, TacomaCleanLNG.com.

Spectrum joins Interstate

October 7, 2014

Shift will leverage expertise and strengthen network

Tacoma, WA – TOTE, Inc. and Interstate Distributor Co. (Interstate) announced today that Spectrum Logistics, currently a TOTE company, is aligning with Interstate. TOTE and Interstate, both lines of business within the Saltchuk family of companies, will make this change to better leverage the business expertise of both companies.

This shift will allow Spectrum to benefit from Interstate’s vast network of drivers and transportation infrastructure. In addition, Spectrum will bring added capacity to Interstate as it  seeks to expand its truck brokerage services and business throughout the Southeastern United States.

“We are excited to have Spectrum’s expertise and services throughout the Southeast that will expand our network” noted Marc Rogers, President of Interstate. “Together we will be able to leverage our knowledge and improve results for our customers.”

TOTE, Saltchuk secure financing for Marlin Class vessels

September 22, 2014

Maritime Administration to Provide Title XI Loan Guarantee for World’s First LNG Containerships

 Washington DC – Today, the U.S. Maritime Administration (MARAD)  announced a $324.6 million loan guarantee for TOTE Shipholdings and Saltchuk Resources for their Marlin Class vessels.  The two new Marlin Class vessels, which will be the world’s first liquefied natural gas (LNG) powered containerships, will serve the Puerto Rico trade and will be complete in 2015 and 2016.

This financing is made available under the Title XI Loan Guarantee Program. TOTE and Saltchuk qualified for this loan as the new ship build is an advancement in shipbuilding technology and being constructed at a U.S. shipyard. The new containerships are being built at General Dynamics NASSCO in San Diego, California.

The Marlin Class vessels set new standards for environmental responsibility, reducing a number of air emissions including particulate matter, sulfur oxides and nitrogen oxides.

“This financing from the U.S. Department of Transportation and MARAD enables TOTE to invest in modern technology that will create jobs, reduce our impact on the environment, and ensure a safer and healthier workplace for our employees” stated Anthony Chiarello, President and CEO of TOTE.

More than 600 skilled workers will be employed by General Dynamics NASSCO for the construction of the two Marlin Class vessels. Both vessels are currently being built and the first ship is more than 50 percent complete.

“The shipbuilding industry contributes more than $36 billion to our national economy, creates jobs, and strengthens local economies” noted MARAD Administrator Paul ‘Chip’ Jaenichen.