News

Saltchuk Announces Acquisition of Tropical Shipping

April 7, 2014

A subsidiary of Saltchuk Resources, one of the nation’s leading transportation and petroleum distribution companies, has entered into a binding purchase & sale agreement to acquire Tropical Shipping and its related companies.

The acquisition includes the premier shipping and logistics company for the Bahamas and Caribbean, Tropical Shipping and all of its related transportation, consolidation and cargo insurance companies. As an international foreign flagged shipping and logistics operation, Tropical and its related companies will become Saltchuk’s sixth line of business.  Tropical will continue to operate as a standalone operation.

The addition of Tropical Shipping to the Saltchuk family of companies furthers the company’s commitment to the Caribbean market. For fifteen years Saltchuk has been serving the people of Puerto Rico through Sea Star Line, its U.S. flag operation.  Tropical’s foreign flag fleet provides service to the balance of the region.

With the addition of Tropical, Saltchuk will employ 7,500 people nationwide. The company was recently named one of the 2014 World’s Most Ethical Companies by the Ethisphere Institute.

“Most importantly, Tropical shares our values.  The Company has a strong safety culture, has the best on time service in its region, and is committed to giving back to the communities which it serves,” said Saltchuk Chairman Mark Tabbutt and President Tim Engle in an announcement to employees. “All of the traits that make our other companies so strong can be found also at Tropical.”

The sale is expected to close within the next 90 days.

Carlile Transportation Systems, Inc., has named Todd Alllen Vice President of Human Resources

March 19, 2014

ANCHORAGE, AK – Carlile Transportation Systems, Inc., has named Todd Allen as their new Vice President of Human Resources. Todd will provide leadership over the Human Resources Department for Carlile.

Todd is a seasoned professional with more than 15 years of leadership experience providing human resource solutions and expertise to organizations in diverse industries. He has been involved with strategic restructuring, HR process transformation and re-engineering of organizations in Alaska, the L-48 as well as internationally. Todd has extensive experience in the design and implementation of HR processes and programs and is a recognized expert in compensation and benefit administration.

Todd has an undergraduate degree in Employee and Labor Relations from Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville. He holds a lifetime Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) certification with the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) and is a certified compensation professional (CCP) with WorldatWork. He has taught a number of WorldatWork certification classes, and currently provides editorial reviews for WorldatWork articles prior to publication.

In support of local and state-wide SHRM chapters and the development of human resource professionals, Todd also provides instruction on the compensation and benefits sections of the PHR/SPHR certification study program as well as being an invited speaker at various human resource seminars.

Todd is actively involved with many community service and non-profit organizations and recently completed an eight-year term on the board of directors for the Alaska SeaLife Center, in Seward, AK.

About Carlile Transportation Systems- One of Alaska’s largest trucking companies, with over 350 tractors, Carlile offers a full range of transportation and logistics services including project logistics and supply chain management, freight consolidation and multi-modal transportation. Carlile owns and operates terminals that serve Alaska from Anchorage, Fairbanks, Kenai, Kodiak, Prudhoe Bay and Seward, as well as Seattle, WA, Houston, TX, Blaine, MN, and Edmonton, AB.  www.carlile.biz

Totem Ocean chooses Wärtsilä technology for largest LNG ship conversion in North America

February 18, 2014

John Parrott, President of Totem Ocean Trailer Express and Björn Rosengren, President & CEO of Wärtsilä Corporation

February 18, 2014 – Federal Way, WA – Totem Ocean Trailer Express (Totem Ocean) has announced that Wärtsilä will supply main engines, generators and integrated LNG storage and fuel gas handling systems (LNGPac™) for the largest LNG conversions ever undertaken in North America. In making this decision John Parrott, President of Totem Ocean, cited Wärtsilä’s proven technology as a deciding factor in selecting the company. Mr. Parrott emphasized that “maintaining reliable, on time service is critical to Totem Ocean’s customers as well as the economy and citizens of Alaska.”

The contract was signed in the fourth quarter of 2013, and executives from both companies met on February 17, 2014 in Tacoma, Washington to announce the project.

“Today marks the beginning of a long relationship between our two companies,” said Parrott. ”Our relationship will outlast this project to extend over the 35-plus year life of our vessels.”

Totem Ocean’s fleet of two Orca Class roll-on/roll-off cargo ships – M.V. Midnight Sun and M.V. North Star transport about one-third of all the goods required by the inhabitants of Alaska. Cargo includes essential items such as food, household goods, vehicles, construction materials and military supply support.

As a result of the conversion, the Totem Ocean vessels will set new standards for environmental responsibility by reducing sulphur oxide (SOx) emission by 100 percent; particulate matter (PM) by 91 percent; nitrogen oxide (NOx) by 90 percent; and carbon dioxide (CO2) by 35 per cent.

”It is an unprecedentedly exciting time to be in the maritime industry. Economic constraints and the need to comply with environmental legislation have combined to accelerate the switch to LNG fuel. Wärtsilä is uniquely positioned to enable this transition since we have been a leader in developing the appropriate technology for nearly 30 years. We look forward to working with TOTE on converting the Midnight Sun and North Star to LNG so that they can realize the benefits that LNG as a marine fuel can provide,” says Björn Rosengren, President & CEO of Wärtsilä Corporation.

Project Specs

• Each of the vessels will be equipped with four 12-cylinder Wärtsilä 50DF dual-fuel engines and generator sets
• Wärtsilä 50DF engines have been designed to give high output combined with fuel flexibility, low emissions, efficiency and reliability
• Engines can be run either on natural gas, light fuel oil or heavy fuel oil
• Wärtsilä also provides the vessels with two 1100 m³ LNG fuel storage tanks and the associated automaton and fuel gas handling systems (LNGPac™)

In addition to the equipment, Wärtsilä is taking responsibility for the design, engineering and integration of the system, and project and site management for its scope of supply.

“We are seeing a transformative change in the marine industry with the switch from oil based product to natural gas,” says Quentin Stewart, Sales Manager, Ship Power, Wärtsilä North America.

Totem Ocean Announces Two Key Leadership Positions

December 3, 2013

Federal Way, Wash. — Totem Ocean Trailer Express has named Michael Noone Chief Operating Officer.

Noone brings more than 28 years of experience in shipping and logistics to Totem Ocean. Most recently Noone served as executive vice-president and chief operating officer for Yusen Logistics Americas, where he was responsible for leading the strategic direction, execution and bottom line results for the company’s six business units.

Noone is responsible for managing Totem Ocean’s day-to-day operations by creating strategic and operating plans for sales, pricing and operations, ensuring the long-term growth, sustainability and profitability of the company.
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Carlile Transportation Joins Saltchuk Family Of Companies

May 31, 2013

Seattle, WA – Carlile Transportation Systems, one of the largest trucking and logistics companies in Alaska, has been acquired by Saltchuk Resources, a Seattle-based family of diversified transportation and petroleum distribution companies.

“Our relationship with Saltchuk is 20 years long, already having been friends, vendors and customers. I really feel this is a match made in heaven. Saltchuk is family owned, as we are, and we share like values. Carlile’s management and employees are excited about the new opportunities and benefits we will be able to offer our customers,” said Carlile CEO and co-founder Harry McDonald.
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