News

Montana-based Fuel Company Joins NorthStar Energy

March 18, 2022

With the addition of CityServiceValcon, NorthStar Energy expands its operational reach into Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, Eastern Washington, and beyond.

NorthStar Energy, a business operating unit of the Saltchuk family of companies focused on the energy sector, announced this week that CityServiceValcon, based in Kalispell, Montana, and with operations in multiple states throughout the Plains, Rocky Mountain, and West Coast regions, will be joining its family of companies.

“Throughout the history of our company, it has always been our vision to grow and expand our business through honesty and integrity, maintain a strong capital foundation, provide a great environment for our employees, and give back to our communities,” said Tim O’Neal, president of CityServiceValcon. “Becoming part of the NorthStar Energy family helps us achieve this vision and we look forward to this partnership.”

CityServiceValcon was founded in 1932 and has a 90-year history of exemplary customer service. The company’s mission is to create a safe and healthy environment for its employees while providing innovative and high-quality products to its customers. As one of the major logistics and delivery industry leaders in the United States, CityServiceValcon touches businesses and residents in 20 states and operates in regions where fuel supply remains fragmented, yet fuel consumption is increasing along with population providing attractive growth opportunities.

“We are excited that CityServiceValcon will join the NorthStar Energy family,” said Bert Valdman, president and CEO of NorthStar Energy. “Our two companies are a strong cultural fit. We align well in terms of operating philosophy and customers served.”

CityServiceValcon is a market leader in fuel distribution across multiple product lines offering wholesale ground and aviation fuel programs from top national brands and independent refiners. Commercial products including propane, proprietary card lock, bulk fuel, and lubricants are distributed from its multiple locations across Washington, Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming. The company serves customer needs in aviation, trucking, agriculture, mining, construction, government, and residential homes. CityServiceValcon’s experienced and long-tenured management team is committed to optimizing the business and has a track record of successful growth.

NorthStar’s current operating companies distribute fuel and lubricants throughout Alaska, Hawaii, and California. Its companies include Delta Western Petroleum, a highly respected petroleum and lubricant distributor in Alaska; Northern Oilfield Solutions, serving the North Slope of Alaska; Inlet Energy, Alaska’s premier lubricants distributor; Alaska Petroleum Distributing, the largest home-heating oil distributor in Fairbanks, Alaska; Hawaii Petroleum, the leading independent fuel marketer on Maui and the Big Island; and The Jankovich Company, a full-service marine and land fuel and lubricants specialist in Los Angeles and San Diego. The Jankovich Company, a family-owned business with a strong local brand, joined NorthStar in early 2021.

“NorthStar is now one step closer to becoming the West Coast’s leading fuel supplier,” Valdman continued. “We are well-positioned to support customers through the energy transition as the industry develops alternate fuels with lower carbon intensity.”

“Our aspiration to be the most respected marketer in the region remains the same,” O’Neal concluded, “Joining the NorthStar Energy family of businesses provides us an opportunity to expand and grow together.”

About CityServiceValcon
Established in 1932, CityServiceValcon is a robust full-service lubricants, fuels, and specialty products distributor that strives to provide high-quality, dependable delivery and superior service. We take care of our people by providing a safe and healthy work environment, and in turn, it allows us to serve customers across multiple industries with goods that keep commerce prospering, people comfortable and provide economic stability. Our customers, employees and vendors are the heart of our operations. For more information, visit cityservicevalcon.com.

Family-owned California fuel company joins NorthStar Energy

March 8, 2021

With the addition of The Jankovich Company, NorthStar Energy expands its operational reach into California to provide customers with best-in-class fuel solutions

SEATTLE – NorthStar Energy, a business operating unit of the Saltchuk family of companies focused on the energy sector, today announced that The Jankovich Company (TJC CA, LLC) based in San Pedro, California, will be joining its family of companies.

“I am very excited for this next chapter in our company’s story,” said Tom Jankovich, president of TJC CA, LLC. “One of the reasons our family chose to say ‘yes’ to NorthStar was because of its commitment to honoring its operating companies’ histories, their local resources, and their people.”

Thomas B. Jankovich founded The Jankovich Company in 1933. Despite a massive earthquake, adverse economic conditions, and fierce competition in the Los Angeles Harbor, the small business thrived, serving the local fishing fleet for the next 40 years. In 1977, Tom Jankovich, took over the company and continues to grow it today, serving land and marine customers from the Pacific Ocean east to Nevada and from the Mexican border north to the San Francisco Bay. With strategically located facilities throughout Southern California, Jankovich’s family-owned culture was built on the core value of taking responsibility and engaging with its employees, customers, and communities.

“Our companies complement each other in terms of culture and operations” said Bert Valdman, president and CEO of NorthStar Energy. “NorthStar’s values are rooted in safety, environmental compliance, and sustainability, while driven by a service-oriented, entrepreneurial spirit that aligns with the Jankovich Company’s past 88 years of operating on the pillars of safety, sustainability, integrity, and service.”

TJC CA, LLC is a full-service marine products supplier offering bunkering, marine lubricant deliveries via truck or barge, and dock-side fueling of commercial vessels, mega yachts, and pleasure craft. On land, the company offers a full spectrum of fuel and lubricant solutions that anticipate customer needs, prevent emergencies, and eliminate stress on customers’ organizations. TJC CA, LLC also provides a comprehensive line of products, equipment, and related supplies to auto dealerships, car washes, marinas, truck fleets, and more.

NorthStar’s current operating companies distribute fuel and lubricants throughout Alaska and Hawaii. Its companies include Delta Western Petroleum, a highly respected petroleum and lubricant distributor in Alaska; Northern Oilfield Solutions, serving the North Slope of Alaska; Inlet Energy, Alaska’s premier lubricants distributor; Hawaii Petroleum, the leading independent fuel marketer on Maui and the Big Island; and Alaska Petroleum Distributing, the largest home-heating oil distributor in Fairbanks, Alaska. Alaska Petroleum, a family-owned business with a strong local brand, joined NorthStar in late 2019.

“Expanding into California allows us to provide integrated, point-to-point service for many of our marine customers who travel along the west coast,” Valdman continued. “We are looking forward to having The Jankovich Company as part of the NorthStar family of companies and collaborating for future innovation and growth.”

“While change is a natural part of growth and inevitable over time,” Jankovich concluded, “The Jankovich Company remains a family business. Our culture and practices will be strengthened as part of the NorthStar Energy family. This is an opportunity to expand and learn from one another.”

About NorthStar Energy

NorthStar Energy companies operate in some of the most remote communities in Alaska and Hawaii, where traditional fuel is still a critical and vital resource. It is up to us to deliver this commodity safely, ethically, and without harm to the local environment. We believe all businesses must commit to a cleaner future, investing in more efficient operations, products, and services. Our responsibility is to guide our customers to the future of fuel while navigating the complexities of remote geographies and economies. With future generations always front of mind, we repositioned our petroleum distribution line of business into a forward-thinking energy holding company in 2018, rebranding NorthStar Petroleum into NorthStar Energy.

For more information, visit www.nsenergy.com.

About The Jankovich Co.

Established in 1933, The Jankovich Company. is a full-service lubricants, fuels, and specialty products distributor. Family- owned and operated, we combine world-class resources while maintaining adaptability, flexibility, and best-in-class services. We provide products of the highest quality from the world’s leading brands in Land and Marine, Lubricants, Fuels, Equipment, and Supply. And we offer unrivaled experience and proven expertise in Automotive, Industrial, Commercial, Marine, and Aviation industries. With a technical and operating staff available 24/7 and a comprehensive, streamlined delivery process, we can meet your needs quickly and efficiently, all at the highest standards of safety, sustainability and integrity.

For more information, visit thejankovichcompany.com.

CONTACT:

Thien-Di (“Zee”) Do

VP, Marketing & Communications

NorthStar Energy

o: (206) 357-1756

Saltchuk Marine to Expand Ship Assist Operations

December 28, 2020

Seattle, WA – Saltchuk Marine announced today it has acquired Centerline Logistics’ harbor ship assist operations in California and the Pacific Northwest.

Eight ship assist tugs currently operated under the Millennium and Starlight brands will join the Saltchuk Marine fleet in early 2021. Operations will be consolidated under the Starlight brand, which will remain independently-operated – managing, dispatching, and crewing its own boats.

This major acquisition increases the ship assist capacity of Saltchuk Marine companies by more than 40% in California. The addition of the Starlight brand to the Saltchuk Marine family of companies furthers the company’s goal to diversify resources and expertise to deliver a wide range of harbor towing solutions to customers along the West Coast.

“This transaction strengthens the Saltchuk Marine family of companies. We are pleased to expand our capacity in both California and the Pacific Northwest, enabling us to grow our portfolio of safe, reliable, competitive ship assist services.” said Jason Childs, CEO of Saltchuk Marine. “This addition to our family of companies continues to strengthen our reach along our coastal waterways, providing expert and reliable tugboat escorts and assists when customers call, and deepens the long-term relationships we have in California today.”

Saltchuk Marine and Centerline will partner together during a short transition period to provide continuity while the transaction is completed. During this time, Centerline will continue to operate Starlight and Millennium tugs before the vessels transfer to Saltchuk Marine.

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ABOUT SALTCHUK MARINE
The Saltchuk Marine family is steeped in rich and storied history of innovation and service. With a keen use of technology, Saltchuk Marine companies: Foss Maritime, Young Brothers, Cook Inlet Tug & Barge, and AmNav continue to lead the industry in innovative solutions and environmental stewardship.

Saltchuk Marine is wholly owned by Saltchuk. Saltchuk’s goal is to build the best family of transportation and distribution companies in North America.

Tropical Shipping Enters Suriname Market with Fastest Transit Time

May 4, 2020

Only Eight Days from Florida to Suriname

Paramaribo, Suriname – Tropical Shipping has announced it will serve the Port of Paramaribo with once-weekly sailings beginning May 14. The new eight-day transit will be the fastest service between Florida and Suriname. Tropical will ship everything from small packages to refrigerated cargo, dry goods, building supplies and vehicles. Based in South Florida, Tropical has served The Bahamas and Caribbean, including Guyana, for more than 50 years and added Belize to its ports of call in 2019.

“Moving into the Suriname market is a natural fit for Tropical,” said Tropical Shipping Assistant Vice President Mark Lopez. “It enables us to integrate our Caricom neighbor into Tropical’s network for inter-island commerce and provide an on-time, reliable supply chain to Suriname from the U.S. and Canada.”

Tropical Shipping uses state-of-the-art technology that allows customers to track their cargo for the entire journey, including at sea. Tropical is known for its on-time service and good communication with its business partners, something those customers have come to depend on.

“When you’re in the food business, you need a carrier that’s reliable,” said Willie Hamed, owner of Plaza Extra, one of the largest grocery store chains on St. Thomas and St. Croix. “We need to get fresh produce, meat, milk and other items consistently, and Tropical has provided us excellent service for more than 30 years. If there’s a delay on the mainland, they let us know, so we can plan for that. We couldn’t do what we do without them.”

Southbound service to Suriname will depart the Port of Palm Beach every Thursday and arrive in Paramaribo each Friday of the following week. The northbound 11-day service will depart Suriname on Friday and arrive in the U.S. on a Tuesday. Tropical has retained Best Maritime Services as its Suriname agent.

For more information on Tropical Shipping and the new Suriname service, visit: www.tropical.com/news/2020/tropical-shipping-announces-a-new-service-to-suriname

New ASD-90 Tug Arrives in Long Beach

May 2, 2020

The state-of-the-art tug Jamie Ann will provide tanker escort and ship assists throughout the region

PORT OF LOS ANGELES, CA – MAY 2, 2020 – The Jamie Ann, the first of four new ASD-90 tugs constructed by Nichols Brothers Boat Builders for the Saltchuk family of companies, arrived today in her new homeport of Long Beach. Powerful enough to escort the largest tankers and container ships calling on ports in the U.S. West Coast, Jamie Ann will provide tanker escort and assists for Foss Maritime’s customers in the Ports of LA/Long Beach area.

Along with her 6866 horsepower and 90ST bollard pull, the Jamie Ann was built to the most stringent emission standards. Her two MTU Tier 4 engines meet the EPA’s highest standards, reducing particulate and nitrogen oxide emissions to near zero through a Selective Catalytic Reduction system. The vessel’s upgraded safety features are equally impressive and focus on crew safety on deck, wheelhouse visibility, winch operations, and sound abatement in the engine room and staterooms.

“The Jamie Ann was built to satisfy the requirements of the State of California – requirements we believe will soon be required of the rest of the country and the world,” said Janic Trepanier, Foss Maritime Project Manager. “Her innovative design offers greater operating efficiencies by producing lower emissions resulting in less maintenance downtime.”

The Jamie Ann is the first of four ASD-90 tugs constructed at Nichols Brothers Boat Builders in Freeland, Washington. Her three sisters: the Sarah Avrick, the Leisa Florence, and the Rachael Allen are due to deliver this year for service within the Saltchuk Marine family of companies.

“We are excited to see Jamie Ann arrive in her new homeport,” said Jason Childs, CEO of Saltchuk Marine. “Her addition to the Foss fleet demonstrates our continued commitment to our mariners, our customers, the environment, and the State of California.”