News

Totem Ocean chooses Wärtsilä technology for largest LNG ship conversion in North America

February 18, 2014

John Parrott, President of Totem Ocean Trailer Express and Björn Rosengren, President & CEO of Wärtsilä Corporation

February 18, 2014 – Federal Way, WA – Totem Ocean Trailer Express (Totem Ocean) has announced that Wärtsilä will supply main engines, generators and integrated LNG storage and fuel gas handling systems (LNGPac™) for the largest LNG conversions ever undertaken in North America. In making this decision John Parrott, President of Totem Ocean, cited Wärtsilä’s proven technology as a deciding factor in selecting the company. Mr. Parrott emphasized that “maintaining reliable, on time service is critical to Totem Ocean’s customers as well as the economy and citizens of Alaska.”

The contract was signed in the fourth quarter of 2013, and executives from both companies met on February 17, 2014 in Tacoma, Washington to announce the project.

“Today marks the beginning of a long relationship between our two companies,” said Parrott. ”Our relationship will outlast this project to extend over the 35-plus year life of our vessels.”

Totem Ocean’s fleet of two Orca Class roll-on/roll-off cargo ships – M.V. Midnight Sun and M.V. North Star transport about one-third of all the goods required by the inhabitants of Alaska. Cargo includes essential items such as food, household goods, vehicles, construction materials and military supply support.

As a result of the conversion, the Totem Ocean vessels will set new standards for environmental responsibility by reducing sulphur oxide (SOx) emission by 100 percent; particulate matter (PM) by 91 percent; nitrogen oxide (NOx) by 90 percent; and carbon dioxide (CO2) by 35 per cent.

”It is an unprecedentedly exciting time to be in the maritime industry. Economic constraints and the need to comply with environmental legislation have combined to accelerate the switch to LNG fuel. Wärtsilä is uniquely positioned to enable this transition since we have been a leader in developing the appropriate technology for nearly 30 years. We look forward to working with TOTE on converting the Midnight Sun and North Star to LNG so that they can realize the benefits that LNG as a marine fuel can provide,” says Björn Rosengren, President & CEO of Wärtsilä Corporation.

Project Specs

• Each of the vessels will be equipped with four 12-cylinder Wärtsilä 50DF dual-fuel engines and generator sets
• Wärtsilä 50DF engines have been designed to give high output combined with fuel flexibility, low emissions, efficiency and reliability
• Engines can be run either on natural gas, light fuel oil or heavy fuel oil
• Wärtsilä also provides the vessels with two 1100 m³ LNG fuel storage tanks and the associated automaton and fuel gas handling systems (LNGPac™)

In addition to the equipment, Wärtsilä is taking responsibility for the design, engineering and integration of the system, and project and site management for its scope of supply.

“We are seeing a transformative change in the marine industry with the switch from oil based product to natural gas,” says Quentin Stewart, Sales Manager, Ship Power, Wärtsilä North America.

Totem Ocean Announces Two Key Leadership Positions

December 3, 2013

Federal Way, Wash. — Totem Ocean Trailer Express has named Michael Noone Chief Operating Officer.

Noone brings more than 28 years of experience in shipping and logistics to Totem Ocean. Most recently Noone served as executive vice-president and chief operating officer for Yusen Logistics Americas, where he was responsible for leading the strategic direction, execution and bottom line results for the company’s six business units.

Noone is responsible for managing Totem Ocean’s day-to-day operations by creating strategic and operating plans for sales, pricing and operations, ensuring the long-term growth, sustainability and profitability of the company.
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Jim Langus has been named Project Leader for Saltchuk’s due diligence efforts as the company evaluates the Kimberly-Clark property in Everett for purchase.

October 18, 2013

We are fortunate to have Jim’s leadership and organizational skills working with our team and the stakeholders in Everett during this review process, said Mark Tabbutt, Chairman of Saltchuk. “His experience lends itself perfectly to the role of maintaining important schedules while working with experts and our professional staff to help us evaluate this property for purchase.”
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Saltchuk agrees to buy former Kimberly-Clark mill site on Everett Waterfront; Will develop maritime complex with 250 highly skilled workers

October 2, 2013

Everett, Wash. – Saltchuk announces that it has signed a Purchase and Sales Agreement with Kimberly-Clark to buy a 66-acre property on the Everett waterfront, formerly home to Kimberly-Clark’s pulp mill and tissue plant.

The deal will initially bring approximately 250 skilled, family-wage jobs to the Everett waterfront and create a thriving/vital shipbuilding and maritime industry in the heart of Everett. There is a strong potential to create additional jobs at the site in the future. Saltchuk, a second generation Northwest-based, family-owned business, employs 6,500 people nationwide, with 800 in the Puget Sound region. Through its subsidiary operating companies, Saltchuk’s Pacific Northwest presence includes Foss Maritime Company, the largest domestic tug and barge company on the Pacific Rim, Totem Ocean Trailer Express, a Tacoma based shipping company with regularly scheduled service to Alaska, and Interstate Distributor, a national trucking company
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AK-WA Connection 2013: Saltchuk expands its links to AK

August 13, 2013

Seattle-based business owns companies across the state’s transportation spectrum and more; acquires major trucking firm in May

If one single company embodies the diverse and enduring connection between Alaska and Washington, it is Saltchuk Resources Inc.

An intermodal transportation company with almost 6,300 employees, Saltchuk owns more than 20 companies that operate as independent businesses with customers in all 50 states and Puerto Rico.

The family-owned business controls major assets organized in five lines of business – shipping and logistics, air cargo, marine resources, trucking and petroleum distribution and marketing. Among Saltchuk’s holding companies are Princeton, N.J.-based Tote Inc., which oversees Totem Ocean Trailer Express Inc., Anchorage-based Northern Aviation Services (which oversees Northern Air Cargo and three other independently managed companies), Seattle-based Foss Marine Holdings, which oversees Foss Maritime Co. and Cook Inlet Tug & Barge Co., and North Star Petroleum of Ballard, Wash., which oversees Delta Western Inc. and Inlet Petroleum Co. The company’s recent acquisition, Carlile Transportation Systems, an Anchorage-based trucking firm, brings a fifth line of business in Alaska to Saltchuk.
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