News

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.

Nothing but water: Hydrogen fuel cell unit to provide renewable power to Honolulu port

August 28, 2015

Young Brothers Ltd. tests hydrogen-fuel-cell-powered generator

Maritime Fuel Cell from Sandia Energy & Climate on Vimeo.

HONOLULU, HI. — A new chapter in clean energy is starting in Hawaii. At Young Brothers Ltd.’s Port of Honolulu facility, Sandia National Laboratories is leading the Maritime Hydrogen Fuel Cell project to test a hydrogen-fuel-cell-powered generator as an alternative to conventional diesel generators.

“We are pleased to help expand this clean energy technology to new applications,” said Young Brothers, Ltd., President Glenn Hong. Young Brothers is hosting a project led by Sandia National Laboratories to test a hydrogen-fuel-cell-powered generator as an alternative to diesel in powering refrigerated containers. (Photo by David Murphey)

The project kickoff was marked with a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz, D-Hawaii, Young Brothers President Glenn Hong and Sandia California Vice President Marianne Walck.

“Today, we take another big step in transforming our nation to a clean energy economy,” said Schatz. “The fuel cell technology being deployed today will one day mean less carbon pollution in our ports and on the high seas. The great work from all the partners involved, especially Young Brothers, is helping lead the way to a cleaner, more energy-efficient future.”

In June, Hawaii Gov. David Ige signed four energy bills, including one that strengthens Hawaii’s commitment to clean energy by directing the state’s utilities to generate 100 percent of their electricity sales from renewable resources by 2045. As the most oil-dependent state in the nation and one that could be most affected by rising sea levels, Hawaii has become an early adopter of emerging technologies and innovative energy solutions.

Hydrogen more efficient than diesel

Planning for the Maritime Hydrogen Fuel Cell project began in late 2012 with a study that determined that hydrogen fuel cells could replace diesel generators in providing auxiliary power on board and to ships at berth. The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Fuel Cell Technologies Office and the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration are funding the six-month deployment of the hydrogen-fuel-cell-powered generator.

“At the point of use, hydrogen fuel cells produce nothing but water — zero pollutant emissions and no greenhouse gases,” said Joe Pratt, Sandia’s project lead. “This technology could enable major commercial ports and marine vessels to lessen their environmental impacts.”

An analysis by Sandia and DOE showed that due to fluctuating loads in maritime auxiliary power applications, a hydrogen fuel cell, which only supplies power when it is needed, is more energy efficient than a diesel engine.

Hydrogenics Corp. designed and built the hydrogen fuel cell generator unit, comprised of four 30-kilowatt fuel cells, a hydrogen storage system and power-conversion equipment, all packaged in a 20-foot shipping container. With 75 kilograms of on-board hydrogen storage, the generator has enough energy to power 10 refrigerated containers for 20 continuous hours of operation.

Clean power at the Port of Honolulu

The unit already is providing power to refrigerated containers on shore. Soon it will begin powering the same refrigerated containers on Young Brothers’ barges that distribute goods to Hawaii’s other islands. Young Brothers is a subsidiary of Foss Maritime Co.

“Young Brothers will be testing and demonstrating this technology on our on-shore and ocean environments over the next six months,” said Hong. “We are very pleased to have been selected to participate in this project with our many national and international partners in expanding this clean technology into new applications.”

Hickam Air Force Base in Honolulu is supplying the hydrogen to power the fuel cell. The hydrogen is produced by electrolysis, the process of splitting water into hydrogen and oxygen, using electricity supplied by Hickam’s solar-powered electrical grid.

Future deployment and other ports

Following the six-month test of the fuel cell unit, the project team will analyze the project’s successes and challenges, including the operating and cost parameters needed to make a business case at other ports.

“The long-range goal is to develop a commercial-ready technology that can be widely used at other ports,” said Pratt. “The project team sees a strong market need and desire for a fuel cell solution, not only at maritime ports but also for users who aren’t connected to a grid. That could extend to developing countries and remote locations worldwide.”

To learn more, visit Sandia’s Maritime Hydrogen website.

Sandia National Laboratories is a multi-program laboratory operated by Sandia Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of Lockheed Martin Corp., for the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration. With main facilities in Albuquerque, N.M., and Livermore, Calif., Sandia has major R&D responsibilities in national security, energy and environmental technologies and economic competitiveness.

Seventy-five Foss Maritime vessels receive safety award

June 8, 2015

Achieving More Than 500 Combined Years of Safe Operations

Both hybrid tugs the Carolyn Foss and Campbell Foss achieved five or more years of safe operations.

SEATTLE- The Chamber of Shipping of America (CSA) has recognized 75 Foss Maritime vessels with the 2014 Jones F. Devlin award for outstanding safety records.

The award is given to self-propelled merchant vessels that have operated for two full years or more without a crewmember losing a full turn at watch because of an occupational injury. The Jones F. Devlin award publicly recognizes the skills and dedication of the hardworking men and women who are responsible for those safe vessel operations.

The 75 Foss vessels were recognized at the CSA Annual Safety Awards Luncheon held this year on May 28th in New Orleans.

Altogether, the Foss vessels achieved the equivalent of 529 years of incident-free operation. Sixty-three vessels had five or more years, and ten vessels boasted 10 to 21 years without a lost-time injury.

“Foss takes safety very seriously,” said Paul Stevens, Foss president and CEO. “The safety of our people and the environment are always our top concerns, and this is evident in all of our operations. We’re proud of our safety programs, intensive trainings, resources and operations. We believe that every person has the right to return home safely at night, and we do all that we can to make sure that happens.”

ABOUT THE CHAMBER OF SHIPPING OF AMERICA
The Chamber of Shipping of America represents 31 U.S. based companies that own, operate or charter oceangoing tankers, container ships, dry bulk vessels engaged in both the domestic and international trades and companies that maintain a commercial interest in the operation of such oceangoing vessels. Current members include companies that own or operate U.S. flag or foreign-flag ships. A company owning or operating only foreign-flag tonnage must have an office in the United States to qualify for membership.

Saltchuk’s Alaska-Washington companies contribute more than 45,400 meals to local food banks during 2-week food drive in April

May 15, 2015

Saltchuk and its companies Carlile Transportation, Delta Western/Inlet Petroleum, Foss Maritime, Interstate Distributor, Northern Air Cargo/Northern Air Maintenance & TOTE joined forces April 15-May 1 to raise funds and food donations for Emergency Food Network, Northwest Harvest and Food Bank of Alaska.

Five locations in Alaska and seven locations in Washington, representing more than 1,000 employees in Washington and more than 700 in Alaska, collected foods and funds to support their local food banks.

In just two weeks, Saltchuk companies raised $8,906 and donated 2,220 pounds of food, equaling more than 45,400 meals for families in need!