News

Posts Categorized: Domestic Shipping

TOTE Establishes Family Relief Fund at Seamen’s Church

October 9, 2015

TOTE Establishes Fund for Families of Crew at the Seamen’s Church Institute

Jacksonville, FL – Earlier this week TOTE announced the creation of a family relief fund whose resources will be used to support the families of the El Faro crew. The fund will be held and administered by the Seamen’s Church Institute, North America’s largest mariners’ service agency.

“Over the last few days we have had hundreds of employees, mariners, customers and individuals from around the country inquire about where to donate in support of the families” noted Anthony Chiarello, President and CEO of TOTE. “This fund will ensure that 100 percent of all gifts goes directly to the families as they deal with the loss of a loved one. We continue to keep the families and loved ones of the crew of the El Faro in our thoughts and prayers.”

TOTE will also be establishing an education fund for the children of the El Faro crew members that will support diverse educational needs.

Information about the fund can be found here: http://elfaroincident.com/family-fund/

(Updated Oct. 15)

About Seamen’s Church Institute

Founded in 1834 and affiliated with the Episcopal Church, though nondenominational in terms of its trustees, staff and service to mariners, the Seamen’s Church Institute of New York & New Jersey (SCI) is the largest, most comprehensive mariners’ agency in North America. Annually, its chaplains visit thousands of vessels in the Port of New York and New Jersey, the Port of Oakland, and along 2,200 miles of America’s inland waterways and into the Gulf of Mexico. SCI’s maritime education facilities provide navigational training to nearly 1,600 mariners each year through simulator-based facilities located in Houston, TX and Paducah, KY. The Institute and its maritime attorneys are recognized as leading advocates for merchant mariners by the United States Government, including the US Congress, the US Coast Guard, and the Department of Homeland Security, as well as the United Nations, the International Maritime Organization, the International Labor Organization and maritime trade associations.

Dedicated site available for El Faro updates

October 3, 2015

President of TOTE Maritime issues statement concerning the El Faro and her crew

Jacksonville, FL – Tim Nolan, President of TOTE Maritime Puerto Rico, issued the following statement regarding ongoing efforts to locate and communicate with the El Faro and her crew.

“TOTE Maritime continues to work closely with the US Coast Guard and all available resources to locate and establish communication with the El Faro.

As noted in a recent statement from the Coast Guard, search and rescue crews began first light search efforts Saturday with a HC-130 Hercules fixed-wing aircraft from Coast Guard Air Station Clearwater, Florida. Additional resources are being deployed throughout the day and we will provide updates as we gather information from these efforts.

In addition to a dedicated media information line listed above (866.890.6763) an informational website has been activated for media and interested parties at www.ElFaroIncident.com. Our team continues work closely with the US Coast Guard and all resources activated in the search and will make timely, accurate updates via the website and phone line as they are available.”

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 and NASSCO launch world’s most environmentally friendly containership

August 30, 2015

Perla del Caribe will reduce air emissions and result in healthier communities

San Diego, CA – Saturday, TOTE and NASSCO launched Perla del Caribe, the second of two Marlin Class ships – the first containerships in the world to be powered by natural gas.

The Perla del Caribe and her sister ship, christened Isla Bella, were purpose-built for the Puerto Rican trade for TOTE Shipholdings and will be operated by TOTE subsidiary Sea Star Line out of Jacksonville, Florida. By moving to natural gas, an environmentally superior fuel, the Marlins will reduce NOx emissions by 98 percent, SOx by 97 percent, carbon dioxide by 72 and particulate matter by 60 percent over the Ponce Class ships – the company’s vessels currently serving the trade.

Tim Nolan, President of Sea Star Line, noted “The ability to innovate and lead in the maritime sector is something that comes along once in a lifetime. . .These ships and the technology they employ will redefine what is possible in the shipping industry both here in the United States and abroad.”

Tim Engle, President of Saltchuk TOTE’s parent company also spoke at the launch ceremony. He highlighted that “TOTE is one of six lines of business that together create a national transportation network, moving cargo by land, sea and air. Saltchuk continually invests in our operations, ensuring that we provide safe, stable and proud environments for our more than 7,500 employees to come to work each day.” Reducing emissions and improving the safety of the ships TOTE operates will ensure Saltchuk and TOTE continue to set the industry standard for safety, reliability and environmental commitment.

Emma Engle, the daughter of Tim Engle and third generation of Saltchuk ownership, is the ship’s sponsor and had the honor of christening and launching the vessel.

“The Marlin Class ships are the most fuel efficient, eco-friendly containerships in the world. As the first of their kind, these ships represent the next generation of US-built ships and we at General Dynamics NASSCO are proud to be leading in that effort,” said Fred Harris, president of General Dynamics NASSCO.

“Once in service the Perla del Caribe and her sister ship will be crewed by the men and women of the Seafarers International Union (SIU) and the American Maritime Officers (AMO). These organizations have a rich and distinguished history of supporting the US merchant marine with the best maritime personnel in the world, ensuring TOTE is able to deliver safe and reliable service day in and day out. We are proud of our strong partnership with SIU and AMO.” commented Phil Greene, President of TOTE Services the TOTE vessel management company that will crew and manage the Marlin Class ships.

The Perla del Caribe will enter service in the first quarter of 2016 between Jacksonville, Florida and San Juan, Puerto Rico. The Isla Bella, the first Marlin Class vessel, launched in April of 2015 and will enter service later this year.

Totem Ocean Trailer Express announces shipyard for conversion to natural gas

August 5, 2015

Tacoma, WA – Totem Ocean Trailer Express (Totem Ocean) announced that it has signed a contract with Keppel Offshore & Marine Ltd (Keppel O&M)’s wholly owned subsidiary Keppel Shipyard Ltd for the conversion of the Midnight Sun to dual fuel liquefied natural gas (LNG) propulsion. This is the world’s first major conversion of a large RO/RO vessel to LNG. The work will begin in December and is expected to be completed in 90 days.

Once complete, the Midnight Sun will emit fewer air and greenhouse gas emissions, reducing emissions of particulate matter by 91 percent, NOx by 100 percent, SOx by 90 percent and carbon dioxide by 35 percent. Her sister ship, the North Star, is expected to be converted in the 2016/2017 time frame.

Totem Ocean will be the first in North America to begin the conversion to natural gas. Totem Ocean is part of the TOTE and Saltchuk organization that is leading the maritime industry into LNG with the introduction of the world’s first LNG powered containership into the Puerto Rico trade later this year.

“Totem Ocean is excited to partner with Keppel for the conversion of the Midnight Sun, enabling her to operate on natural gas” stated John Parrott, President of Totem Ocean. “The removal and replacement of the four engines, adding 2,200 cubic meters of LNG capacity along with the addition of 47 kilometers of new cabling is a complex undertaking, and we are confident that Keppel will provide safe, timely, high-quality work to ensure the best outcome for Totem Ocean and our customers.”

Mr Michael Chia, Managing Director (Marine & Technology), Keppel Offshore & Marine, said, “We are happy to start a new partnership with Totem Ocean who has entrusted us with the conversion of their first RO/RO vessel to run on both diesel and natural gas. Due to natural gas’ cleaner burning properties, more and more vessel owners are choosing to have their ships powered by LNG. Leveraging our strong track record and experience in ship modification and conversion work, Keppel is well positioned to capture this growing market to meet the industry’s needs for environmentally friendly solutions.”

Puget Sound Energy, in partnership with Totem Ocean and the Port of Tacoma, has plans to construct an LNG liquefaction terminal at the Port that will serve Totem Ocean, residents of Puget Sound and the broader transportation industry in the Pacific Northwest. This facility is scheduled to be complete by the end of 2018.

In the short term, TOTE and its partner WesPac are building North America’s first LNG bunker barge to deliver fuel to the ships once converted.