News

TOTE Announces Plans to Establish New U.S. Mainland to Hawai’i Shipping Service

August 17, 2017

Terminal space in Honolulu key to TOTE’s plans to bring new environmentally advanced containerships to Hawai’i trade in 2020

Honolulu, HI – TOTE announced today its intention to establish a new domestic shipping service to Hawai’i. The company is working with Philly Shipyard to construct four new environmentally advanced containerships, custom built for the trade. This week began conversations to secure the new deep water Kapalama Container Terminal (KCT) in Honolulu for TOTE, a critical step in making the new service a reality.

For more than 40 years, TOTE and its operating companies have provided dedicated service to Alaska and Puerto Rico. As part of its commitment and stewardship of the communities it serves, the company has invested more than $600 million to convert its ships to run on natural gas, making its fleet the most environmentally friendly in the U.S.

“TOTE is excited to bring our best-in-class service to the people of Hawai’i,” noted Anthony Chiarello, President and CEO of TOTE. “TOTE’s presence on the islands will provide market stability and introduce new environmentally advanced vessels that will greatly benefit the islands.”

Timing is critical for construction of new ships for Hawai’i and a commitment for terminal space in Honolulu is needed to move the new venture forward. New environmental regulations taking effect in 2020 necessitate replacement of aged ships currently operating in the trade. As planned, the new vessels from Philly Shipyard will enter service in early 2020 and 2021, just in time to meet the deadline and maintain trade capacity.

“TOTE’s commitment is to provide superior service for our customers as well as the communities we serve, ensuring that goods arrive on time week in and week out,” noted Chiarello. “TOTE will bring the same commitment to our Hawai’i operations to ensure maritime transportation is industry leading.”

About TOTE

TOTE is a leading transportation and logistics company, overseeing some of the most trusted companies in the U.S. domestic trade. TOTE Maritime Alaska and TOTE Maritime Puerto Rico bring a focus on reliability and service to their respective markets. TOTE Services offers crewing and technical services to meet the needs of commercial, privately owned and U.S. Government vessels. TOTE owns and operates the most environmentally friendly cargo fleet in U.S., including the world’s first LNG powered containerships that serve the Puerto Rico trade.

TOTE Maritime Alaska was recently voted the Top Ocean Carrier in the 2017 Quest for Quality Awards while both TOTE Maritime Alaska and TOTE Maritime Puerto Rico tied for first place in the customer service category.

TOTE is part of the Saltchuk family of companies. Saltchuk transportation and distribution companies operate throughout North America and have served the communities of Hawaii for more than 18 years. Saltchuk companies serving Hawaii include Aloha Air Cargo, Aloha Tech Ops, Foss Maritime, Young Brothers, Hawaii Petroleum, Minit Stop and Ohana Fuels.

For more information on TOTE please visit www.toteinc.com.

For more information on the Saltchuk family of companies please visit www.saltchuk.com.