News

TOTE ‘Walks The Walk’

January 17, 2013

As appeared in MarineLink.com by Greg Trauthwein, Editor

Having sat in this chair for more than two decades, I must admit that I have become somewhat jaded in the sense that there are few developments which actually give me cause to pause. Of course there are the spectacular casualties that will never cease to amaze, but on the business side there are very few real showstoppers.

Then there was last month.

Just as I was literally packing up to head down to New Orleans for the International Workboat Show, news broke that U.S. ship owner TOTE Inc. had sealed the deal to build the world’s first LNG-powered containership (it is a dual fuel MAN main driver, but the full intent is to operate on LNG the majority of the time). As the ships (two firm, three options) are intended for the U.S. to Puerto Rico Jones Act trade, there was no surprise that they must be built in the U.S., in this case at San Diego-based NASSCO. On the surface, to think that a U.S. ship owner and a U.S. shipyard have collaborated to build a ground-breaking, technologically advanced, world-class ship that will not be painted grey is truly amazing. On the surface, that is.
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Aloha Air Cargo, Family Programs Hawaii Support Children

December 22, 2012

Aloha Air Cargo and Family Programs Hawaii announced a new partnership that assists the prevention of children from entering foster care, supports children and families already involved in the foster care system, and helps youths successfully transition out of foster care.

Just in time for the holidays, Aloha Air Cargo is providing much needed monetary sponsorship and awareness for FPH’s various programs by rallying the Hawaii community around a very simple, yet powerful message, “I help kids.”

“Our goal at Family Programs Hawaii has always been to provide quality care to the children of Hawaii,” said FPH Director of Development, Connie Sizemore. “Partnering with Aloha has given us additional resources to acquire more volunteers, utilize their shipping network for movement of supplies and toys for neighbor island foster kids, and relaunch the ‘I help kids’ program shirts to spread the message of our organization.”
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World’s First and Largest LNG-Powered Containerships To Serve Puerto Rico For TOTE, Inc.

December 4, 2012

State-of-the-Art Ships to Benefit Island’s Economy, Environment

PRINCETON, NJ – TOTE, Inc. announced today it has committed to the construction of two new state-of-the-art containerships for the Puerto Rico trade, with options for three more vessels for additional domestic service. The agreement with General Dynamics NASSCO represents a major technological milestone in international shipping.

The vessels will be the most environmentally friendly containerships in the world with CO2 emissions-per-container that are 71% less than the vessels now in the Puerto Rican trade. Particulate Matter will be reduced by 99%. Sulfur oxides will be reduced by 98%. Nitrogen oxides will be reduced by 91%. The 3100 TEU vessels are expected to be the largest ships of any kind in the world powered primarily by liquefied natural gas (LNG). Both ships will be powered by dual-fuel LNG engines that greatly surpass the requirements of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s clean air regulations.
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61 Foss Maritime Company Vessels Honored for Environmental Excellence

November 19, 2012

Vessels Have Gone Two Years or Longer Without Environmental Incidents, Winning Chamber of Shipping Honor

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Sixty-one tugs and tank barges owned by Foss Maritime Company have been recognized by a major maritime organization for their environmental safety records.

The Chamber of Shipping of America (CSA) announced the awards honoring the Seattle, WA-based Foss’ environmental achievements on November 13, 2012 in Washington, D.C.

Altogether, the 61 Foss vessels recognized by CSA have gone a combined 543 years without an environmental incident. For a handful of Foss vessels, the awards marked 20 years of operation without an environmental accident.

“When we talk with our customers, safety and the environment are the first things they bring up,” said Gary Faber, Foss’s president and COO. “To be honored by the Chamber of Shipping for our environmental record is something that underscores all our efforts at Foss. It is part of our corporate culture.”
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