News

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.

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.”

Saltchuk Giving Initiative – Hawai‘i Region Donates $60,000 to Local Food Banks

April 24, 2020

Four food banks across the state will each receive $15,000 amid the COVID-19 pandemic

HONOLULU, HAWAI‘I – In an effort to feed local families impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, Saltchuk Hawai‘i companies: Aloha Air Cargo, Hawai‘i Petroleum, Minit Stop, and Young Brothers, LLC, donated $60,000 today to support the critical service Hawai‘i’s food banks provide to our island communities. The Hawai‘i Foodbank, Kaua‘i Independent Food Bank, Maui Food Bank, and the Food Basket will each receive $15,000 to support their efforts to feed families in need.

Photo courtesy of the Hawaiʻi Foodbank.

“Food insecurity is one of many challenges local families across the state are facing right now as a result of the coronavirus pandemic,” said Jay Ana, president of Young Brothers, LLC. “In addition to supporting local food banks with in-kind transportation, we are grateful for the opportunity to join our sister companies in helping to support our food banks in this way.”

The Saltchuk Giving Initiative – Hawai‘i Region typically awards funds to nonprofits in the sectors of youth development and post-secondary education programming. However, in response to the coronavirus pandemic, the initiative recognized the current need to support our local food banks that are providing vital services to keep our communities healthy and strong.

“We know there is a huge need for basic necessities such as food and water and we’re here to help the communities that have trusted us for so long,” said Kimo Haynes, president of Hawaiʻi Petroleum. “By focusing our donation to organizations who have established infrastructure, we can quickly help the people who need it the most.”

“Hawaii’s food banks are recognized both nationally and locally for its mission to feed those in need,” said Travis Colbert, Vice President & General Manager of Aloha Air Cargo. “It was a logical choice for a far-reaching effect during this very challenging time.”

Since its inception in 2014, the Saltchuk Giving Initiative – Hawai‘i Region has given over $1.4 million in grants to various non-profit organizations. In 2019, Saltchuk Hawaii companies provided more than $280,000 in grants and in-kind transportation to the community.

About the Saltchuk Giving Initiative – Hawai‘i Region

The Saltchuk Giving Initiative – Hawaii Region, accepts applications from non-profit organizations statewide whose primary purpose is to further post-secondary education and youth development.  For more information, visit www.saltchuk.com/about-us/giving.

About Aloha Air Cargo

Headquartered in Honolulu, Aloha Air Cargo, delivers fast, economical and reliable transport of goods between the Hawaiian Islands of Oahu, Maui, Kauai and the Island of Hawaii. It became an independent cargo operator after the closure of Aloha Airlines passenger services in May 2008. Aloha Tech Ops is a division of Aloha Air Cargo and provides maintenance and engineering services to airlines in the State of Hawaii.  For more information, visit, www.alohaaircargo.com.

About Hawai‘i Petroleum

Hawaii Petroleum is a wholesale and retail marketer of fuel products, convenience retailing and signature island fare operating on the islands of Maui and Hawaii.  With a modern fleet of bulk delivery vehicles, 7 commercial HFN cardlocks, 20 Ohana Fuels retail stations, and 16 Minit Stop stores, Hawaii Petroleum’s mission is to be the preferred provider in the markets we serve.  For more information, visit https://hawaiipetroleum.com/.

About Young Brothers, LLC

Young Brothers, with approximately 370 employees across the state, has served Hawai‘i since 1900. Young Brothers is a publicly regulated water carrier providing weekly port calls from Honolulu to the state’s neighbor island ports, including Hilo, Kawaihae, Kahului, Kaumalapau, Kaunakakai, and Nāwiliwili. For more information, visit www.youngbrothershawaii.com.

Saltchuk companies join the ALL IN Seattle campaign with $100,000 in grants

April 22, 2020

Saltchuk companies are proud to support Food Lifeline, Northwest Harvest, and the Keep Workers Healthy and Safe Fund as part of the ALL IN Seattle campaign.  The ALL IN Seattle campaign was created to promote direct donations to organizations providing critical support in Puget Sound and across the state in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We are grateful to the strong network of non-profit organizations that are rising to the challenge to meet the needs of our community, said Nicole Engle, Saltchuk Shareholder and Chair of Saltchuk’s Washington Regional Giving Committee. “Employees across our companies are doing their part to keep the supply chain running smoothly and we are proud to support our communities in helping those most impacted by this crisis.”

NW Harvest – $30,000 grant

Northwest Harvest’s statewide hunger relief network is comprised of 375 food banks, meal programs and high-need schools as unique as the communities they serve.

Food Lifeline– $30,000 grant

Food Lifeline distributes food to more than 300 food banks, shelters, and meal programs throughout Western Washington, providing the equivalent of 134,000 meals every day for hungry children, adults, and seniors.

Keep Workers Healthy and Safe Fund– $40,000 grant

The Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce fund has received $400,000 to date in pledges to help employers continue to provide uninterrupted medical insurance for their employees and keep employees safe by offsetting the costs of additional sanitization and safety supplies.

Last year, Saltchuk companies contributed more than $385,000 to non-profit organizations in the Pacific Northwest. Nationwide, the Saltchuk family of companies donated more than $2.2 million in in-kind transportation and nearly $2 million in grants within their communities.

Saltchuk companies in Washington include TOTE, Carlile, Foss Maritime, Delta Western Petroleum, NorthStar Energy and Northern Aviation Services.

Saltchuk companies join the AK CAN DO campaign

April 21, 2020

Saltchuk companies joined the AK CAN DO campaign this week with a $25,000 contribution. The AK CAN DO campaign, partnership for COVID-19 Response, a partnership between the Alaska Community Foundation and United Way of Anchorage, was established to provide support to non-profits providing critical support across the state in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Saltchuk companies’ donation will support non-profits on the frontline of the COVID-19 response and families who have suffered economic hardship as a result of the crisis.

Saltchuk companies in Alaska include TOTE, Carlile, Northern Air Cargo, Cook Inlet Tug & Barge, Delta Western Petroleum, Inlet Energy, Alaska Petroleum Distributing, and Northern Oilfield Services.

“We are grateful for the amazing network of non-profit organizations across Alaska who serve the most vulnerable in our state,” said Dave Karp, Managing Director for Saltchuk in Alaska. “Today, more than ever, those organizations are rising to the challenge and meeting our community where they are needed most. This crisis has touched us all, and we are committed to not only keeping the supply chain running smoothly but to support our community however we can.”

Last year, Saltchuk companies contributed more than $630,000 in grants to Alaskan non-profit organizations and supported community efforts with more than $2 million in in-kind transportation.