News

Foss Provides Meals and Homes for Hundreds of First Responders in Devastated Puerto Rico

December 20, 2017

SEATTLE, Wash.,  – From hearty meals to comfortable sleeping quarters for first responders, Foss Maritime has been supporting the relief and rebuilding efforts in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands following the devastation caused by Hurricane Irma and Hurricane Maria.

Foss Maritime has been working in conjunction with U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to provide housing and fresh meals to hundreds of first responders.

In the months since the storms hit in September, Foss has used three accommodation vessels as “floating hotels” for hundreds of workers during the recovery work—including workers from the U.S. Department of Defense, FEMA and AmeriCorps—providing food, comfort and a place to sleep after long shifts. Two Foss vessels served as sleeping quarters, while a third was used for food preparation and support. The ocean-going tugs Lauren Foss and Corbin Foss stood alongside to provide additional support, along with Foss employees and subcontractors who provided catering, laundry and cleaning for relief workers’ rooms.

In addition to caring for responders, Foss also produced around 3,000 boxed meals a day. To help support economic recovery, the meals included local ingredients whenever possible. Bread was purchased from local bakeries and meat and other perishables were sourced from nearby businesses. A local milk delivery company was hired by FEMA to deliver the meals throughout the communities.

“We hear stories everyday about the work that is being done, and what still needs to be done—especially in the mountain regions,” said Mike Lauer, Director of Marine Transportation Project Services for Foss. “We’re happy and proud to be part of these efforts. Most of the responders are working non-stop, 12 hours or more a day, every single day. It’s exhausting work, so Foss has focused on making sure everyone is well-fed and comfortable, with a place to rest.”

Ninety-five percent of Puerto Rico’s electrical grid was destroyed in the storms, with the interior most hard-hit. Ongoing rehabilitation of the island, support for its people and the restoration of its economy will take time, but services are starting to return as workers make progress. Puerto Rico’s main energy ports—Yabucoa, Ponce, Guayanilla, and San Juan—have all reopened for business. Communications are coming back online as are cellular networks. Electrical equipment is being delivered to ports so the extensive damage can be repaired.

“This has been an impressive undertaking,” said Lauer from Ponce, Puerto Rico where he was on-hand to assist in operations. “There are an incredible amount of volunteers, through groups like FEMA Core, AmeriCorps and others that are in the communities every day, knocking on doors, educating people about resources, and providing every kind of aid—even cutting trees out of homes. The thing that has made the largest impression on me is just how much our federal government is doing for Puerto Rico. Honestly, being here and seeing this, it makes me thankful to be an American citizen.”

Although FEMA contracts are wrapping up, Foss will remain in the region to assist as needed through continuing recovery efforts.

Foss and Damen to Construct Next Generation Ship Assist and Escort Tugs for the U.S. Market

November 28, 2017

Vessels to be built at the Foss Shipyard in Oregon SEATTLE, Wash. – Foss Maritime and Netherlands-based Damen Shipyards have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to produce and market the Damen ASD 2813 tug. The tug design has been modified to meet the unique demands of the U.S. tug assist and escort market. The first four of a series of at least 10 tugs will be constructed at the Foss Rainier, Ore., Shipyard, with delivery planned for 2019. Above: Damen ASD 2813 escort/assist vessel with 6,800 hp and 90 ton bollard pull for the U.S. market. Below: Damen Shipyards Chairman Kommer Damen and Foss CEO John Parrott at the signing of the agreement. Foss and Damen have a vision of the next generation of ship assist and escort tugs, and by combining Damen’s long history of design and construction experience with Foss’ operational and shipbuilding expertise, this vision will be realized. While Foss will construct the tugs to supplement and enhance their fleet, tugs of this build series will be available for purchase by other U.S. tug operators. “This partnership supports our shared goals,” said John Parrott, Foss President and CEO. “It means, we can strengthen our fleet while meeting the demands of our customers, and at the same time Damen has the opportunity to market their innovative tug designs in the U.S.” “Working with Foss will enable us to strengthen our relationship while serving the North American market with state-of-the-art, cost-effective and dependable vessels,” said Jan van Hogerwou, Damen’s Vice President of New Construction North America. “We’re excited about this collaboration and look forward to working closely with Foss.” # # #

73 Foss Maritime Vessels Honored for Environmental Excellence

November 15, 2017

Thirty-nine Vessels Recognized for 10+ Years of Incident-Free Operations SEATTLE— With a combined 877 years without an incident, 73 Foss Maritime and subsidiary companies’ tugs and tank barges have been recognized by The Chamber of Shipping of America (CSA) for their environmental records. CSA announced the 2017 Environmental Achievement Awards on Nov. 8, 2017, in Washington, D.C.    The Edith Foss at work. Foss and its sister companies have 39 vessels with 10 or more years without an environmental incident, with 11 of those vessels achieving 20+ years of environmental excellence. The Edith Foss is one of the Foss Maritime vessels that have been free of environmental mishaps for more than 20 years. “This award underscores our dedication to the highest safety standards and care for the environment,” said John Parrott, Foss CEO. “These values are an important part of our corporate culture and what our customers demand. We live, work and play on the waters and in the communities we serve, so safeguarding the environment is a core responsibility, and we take pride in it.” The awards are open to all owners and operators of vessels that operate on oceans or inland waterways. “These awards celebrate the dedication to environmental excellence of our seafarers and the company personnel shore-side who operate our vessels to the highest standards,” said Kathy J. Metcalf, president of CSA, praising the award recipients for their commitment to serving as stewards of the environment. A list of the vessels receiving the 2017 Environmental Achievement Award is posted on CSA’s websitewww.knowships.org. Click on “News & Events,” then “Press Releases.”

Glenn Hong celebrates 25 years at Young Brothers with retirement and transition to parent company, leading Saltchuk’s Hawaii business initiatives

October 12, 2017

Hong will lead Saltchuk’s Hawaii initiatives beginning January 1, 2018.

Honolulu – Young Brothers, Ltd has announced Glenn Hong will retire at the end of the year as company president to undertake a new leadership role with parent company Saltchuk, focusing on Hawaii business initiatives effective January 1, 2018.

“I’ve deeply valued the opportunity to serve Hawaii by maintaining and even enhancing Young Brothers’ 117+-year legacy as the leading shipping company connecting our island state,” said Hong. “I look forward to pursuing a new role with Saltchuk and helping to support its family of companies in the islands.”

Hong began at Young Brothers in 1991 as vice president of Finance and Government Affairs, coming from Hawaiian Electric Industries. In 1992, he assumed the presidency and immediately set to work to infuse the organization with a customer-driven mindset.

Hong joined the Saltchuk organization in 1999, when the company acquired Young Brothers and Hawaiian Tug & Barge from Hawaiian Electric Industries. From the beginning, Saltchuk sought to create a family of companies that were part of the fabric of the community. In the next decade, Hawaii Petroleum, Minit Stop and Ohana Fuels, as well as Aloha Air Cargo were added to the family.

Under Hong’s leadership, Young Brothers has undergone a fleet modernization initiative to meet neighbor island cargo needs into the next generation. By the end of 2018, Young Brothers will have made capital investment of over $180 million in new vessels and shore-side equipment. These investments include four new large 11,700-ton capacity barges as well as a 5,600-ton multi-deck roll-on/roll-off barge for vehicle transportation that is currently in service. In addition, in 2016, Young Brothers commenced construction of four new 6,000 HP American-built tugs that are slated to begin service in the middle of 2018. These investments will enhance operational efficiency for the company and improve reliability for Hawaii customers.

Having positioned Young Brothers for the future, Hong will shift his focus to represent Saltchuk’s Hawaii operations.

“Glenn is not only well-regarded within our organization, he is a valued and respected member of the Hawaii business community. We are grateful for his contributions at Young Brothers and are looking forward to his new role at Saltchuk,” said Saltchuk President Tim Engle.

Young Brothers has not yet named a successor for Hong. Saltchuk’s marine services business, Foss Maritime, is expected to make an announcement in the coming months.

Foss Maritime President, John Parrott, recognized Hong’s service and accomplishments, “We take this moment to honor Glenn – for his dedication, his deep employee, community and industry relationships, and for his keen commitment to cargo services within the most water-borne dependent state in the nation. He has been steadfast in his work with the tenets of balance and justice for customers, employees and investors.”

In his new role Hong will remain based in Honolulu and will continue his decades-long commitment to serving the people of Hawaii.

Foss Maritime Joins FEMA’s Response and Relief Operations in Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands    

October 4, 2017

SEATTLE – Foss Maritime Company announced today that it has contracted with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to support the relief and rebuilding efforts in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands following the devastation caused by Hurricane Irma and Hurricane Maria.

Three accommodation vessels are being utilized and will serve as floating hotels, providing safe housing and warm meals for responders. With these vessels, Foss will be able to help feed and temporarily house 729 people.

“We have the ability and the commitment to serve the wide range of needs of hurricane victims in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, and are prepared to offer additional services, as needed, to FEMA and other federal agencies throughout all relief efforts,” said Will Roberts, Foss CCO.  

“For Foss, this type of project is at the heart of what we do. We are glad to do our part to help the families affected by this devastating disaster by enlisting the skills of our finest operators and providing needed equipment,” he said.

Foss has deployed a multiple disciplined team consisting of operations, fleet engineering, project management, safety, marine assurance, supply chain, legal and finance.

Foss sister companies, Tropical Shipping and Tote Maritime Puerto Rico, employ 42 employees in Puerto Rico and 115 in the U.S. Virgin Islands.

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ABOUT FOSS MARITIME
Founded in 1889, Seattle-based Foss Maritime offers a complete range of maritime services and project management to customers across the Pacific Rim, Europe, South America and around the globe. Foss has one of the largest fleets of tugs and barges on the American West Coast. The company has harbor services and transportation operations in all major U.S. West Coast ports, including the Columbia and Snake River system, Hawaii and Alaska. Foss operates two shipyards and offers worldwide marine transportation, emphasizing safety, environmental responsibility and high-quality service. See www.foss.com for more information.