News

Jack Hagey, Jozette Montalvo named Saltchuk’s 2020 Safety Award winners

June 7, 2021

SEATTLE – Saltchuk is proud to announce that Jack Hagey of Foss Maritime and Jozette Montalvo of Hawaii Petroleum are the Saltchuk 2020 Safety Award honorees. Hagey, Chief Engineer onboard the Stacey Foss, will accept the President’s Award for Innovation in Safety. Montalvo, Vice President of Human Resources at Hawaii Petroleum, is the honoree for the Mike Garvey Award for Distinguished Service in Safety.

Montalvo was nominated by her supervisor, and company President Kimo Haynes.

Leadership in Uncertain Times

“Jozette was instrumental with the planning, execution, and management of our COVID protocols and response plan,” Haynes wrote of Montalvo in her nomination.

Hawaii Petroleum has 22 sites (18 convenience stores/gas stations, three wholesale warehouses, and the main office) that are staffed, and “our employees interact with the general public daily,” Haynes continued.

“Fuel distribution is considered critical infrastructure, and our facilities had to remain operational during the pandemic. Like most companies, we did not have a formal response plan in place for a global pandemic, and when COVID hit last year, we had to react and respond on the fly.”

According to Haynes, Hawaii Petroleum created a COVID response committee tasked with developing company policies, procedures, and protocols to remain operational and ensure employee and customer safety.

“Jozette took a leadership role in this committee and spearheaded the initial research effort,” wrote Haynes. “Although it seems simple, creating and implementing the framework to execute this was complex. Jozette’s (award) not only recognizes the time and effort she put in last year, but the effectiveness and results of the combined efforts she helped lead.”

The Hagey Handler Safety Innovation

Jack Hagey was nominated by his Supervisor Chris Mack, Jr. for his development of the “Hagey Handler,” a contraption designed to assist his shipmates on the barge when handling heavy or frozen lines at Red Dog Mine in Alaska. The Hagey Handler is a hand tool that the line handler brings with them and fits over the line. The line is fed into the “jaws” in a downward motion, forcing the jaws open to secure the often frozen, water-logged line in the “teeth.”

The handler can then use the handle to get more leverage and a better position for holding the line, reducing risk on the job.

Hagey fabricated the tool himself, developing several iterations until it was perfect.

“His shipmate approach to safety is honorable and should be recognized,” Mack wrote in his nomination.

Congratulations to Jack, Jozette, and all the 2020 nominees for making Saltchuk companies safe places to work, we look forward to sharing their stories in People of Saltchuk throughout the summer.

• Dustin Case – Captain, Aloha Air Cargo
• Tim Healey – Vice President, Human Resources, Northern Aviation Services
• Brandon Kurtzweil – Terminal Operator, Delta Western Petroleum
• Patrick Leahy- Chief Mate USNS Wheeler, TOTE Services
• Bill Lounsbery & Matthew Jarrett – Cargo Services Supervisor & Cargo Services Lead, Northern Air Cargo
• Zack Midles – Sr. Operations Analyst, TOTE Maritime Alaska
• Edward Rowe, Passenger Ramp Lead, Northern Air Maintenance Services
• Leroy Schlecht , Launch Operator, Foss Maritime
• Erika Vega, Risk Management Generalist, TOTE Maritime Puerto Rico
• Gregory Walz – Lead Terminal Operator, Delta Western Petroleum

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.

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 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.