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New Young Brothers Kāpena Class Tug Christened

July 2, 2018

The first of four new tugs will soon enter service in Hawai’i HONOLULU – The Kāpena Jack Young, the first of four new ocean-going tugs that will soon begin neighbor island service for Young Brothers, has been christened in Louisiana. The Kāpena Jack Young, designed by Damen USA and built by Louisiana-based Conrad Shipyard, marks the arrival of the first new Kāpena class tugs built for Hawai‘i-based Young Brothers, an independent subsidiary of Foss Maritime. “Kāpena” means “captain” in the Hawaiian language, and the name for the class of ships celebrates the skill and innovation of Young Brothers’ Hawaiian navigators and will be home-ported in Kaunakakai, Moloka‘i. The new class of tugs are designed to match Young Brothers’ fleet of modern high capacity barges, and will improve the company’s ability to provide “just-in-time” cargo service to Neighbor Island communities, while enhancing service through lower maintenance down time, better tow speeds, greater operating efficiencies, and lower emissions. The Kāpena Jack Young is named after Captain Jack Young, one of three brothers who founded Young Brothers in 1900. Each of the four new Kāpena class tugs will be named after an original Young Brothers’ captain, including nā Kāpena George Panui Sr. and Jr., Bob Purdy, and Raymond Alapa‘i. The christening of the Kāpena Jack Young was held at Port Fourchon with representatives of Young Brothers, Foss Maritime, Conrad, and Damen in attendance, as well as Sharon Young, Jack Young’s granddaughter, who sponsored the vessel. “The four new Kāpena class tugs, represent our future while honoring our past. Once in service, the average age of our fleet will be reduced from an average age of 44 years to 12 years young,” said Joe Boivin, new President of Young Brothers. “The new tugs reinforce our commitment to safety, environmental stewardship and customer service.” The 6,000 horsepower, 123 foot by 36.5’ vessel is powered by General Electric 8L250MDC—state-of-the-art EPA Tier IV emissions compliant exhaust gas re-circulation engines. “I’m very impressed with the work that has been done by Conrad shipyards and Damen USA in the delivery of the first of our four new, state-of-the-art, Tier 4 tugs,” said John Parrott, President and CEO of Foss Maritime. “We worked with Young Brothers to research various tug hull designs, engines, and towing equipment options. The construction of these new tugs supports Young Brothers’ in providing reliable, affordable and frequent services throughout the Hawaiian islands—now and in the future.” # # # Video footage of the christening available upon request.

Leadership Transitions Announced for TOTE Maritime Companies

June 12, 2018

Michael Noone will become President of TOTE Maritime Puerto Rico and Grace Greene will assume the role of President at TOTE Maritime Alaska

Today TOTE announced leadership changes within its TOTE Maritime division. Michael Noone, currently President of TOTE Maritime Alaska will transition and become President at TOTE Maritime Puerto Rico. Grace Greene, currently Vice President and General Manager at TOTE Maritime Alaska has been promoted to President and will take over for Noone.

These transitions are the first changes within the TOTE organization following the announcement that Tim Nolan will step into the role of President and CEO following the retirement of Anthony Chiarello later this summer.

“I am excited for the opportunity to work with another TOTE company and I look forward to working closer with my colleagues in Jacksonville and San Juan in serving our customers in the Puerto Rico trade” commented Mike Noone. “It has been wonderful to work with my colleagues and the customers in the Alaska trade for the last five years – they have been like a family. Their commitment to Alaska is reflected in TOTE Maritime Alaska’s recent Quest for Quality Award as the Top Ocean Carrier. I am grateful for their support and dedication and I look forward to becoming a part of the Puerto Rico team.”

Noone has more than 30 years of experience in the maritime industry and has been with TOTE Maritime Alaska since 2013. He will officially step into his role on September 4, immediately following the Labor Day holiday. Greene will assume the role of President for TOTE Maritime Alaska on August 6.

“Having lived in Alaska for nearly 10 years, I have personally experienced the critical support that TOTE Maritime Alaska provides to the people and communities of this state” noted Grace Greene. “I look forward to serving as President of TOTE Maritime Alaska and working with the entire team to build on our 40 year success.”

Greene has worked for TOTE Maritime since 2014 and served in the U.S. Marine Corps as a helicopter pilot and Aircraft Commander.

“This is an exciting time for the TOTE family of companies” noted Nolan. “I am confident that we have the best people leading the TOTE Maritime organization into the future. Their leadership will build on TOTE’s 40+ year commitment to providing the best maritime shipping services to the communities of Alaska and Puerto Rico.”

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 is part of the Saltchuk family of companies. For more information on TOTE please visit www.toteinc.com.

Tim Nolan named new President and CEO of TOTE

May 18, 2018

Tim Nolan, President & CEO, TOTE

Seattle, WA – Saltchuk has announced that Tim Nolan has been named the next President and CEO of TOTE Inc., the parent company to TOTE Maritime and TOTE Services.

Nolan, who currently serves as the President of TOTE Maritime Puerto Rico, has been with the TOTE family of companies since 2013. He will take over the helm July 16 from Anthony Chiarello who announced his retirement earlier this year.

Tim Engle, President of Saltchuk noted “We are pleased that Tim has accepted the role of President and CEO for TOTE. His strong leadership at TOTE Maritime Puerto Rico and more than 20 years in the transportation and logistics industry made him a natural choice to lead Saltchuk’s largest line of business.”

“I am honored and excited to step into this new leadership role with TOTE” commented Nolan. “The TOTE team is an exemplary group of people and I am confident that together we will make this a successful transition. I look forward to working closely with customers, vendors and key stakeholders as well as all of the TOTE companies.”

Nolan and his family will remain in Jacksonville, FL shifting TOTE’s corporate headquarters to Jacksonville where both TOTE Maritime Puerto Rico and TOTE Services are currently based.

Over the coming months, Nolan will work closely with Chiarello to ensure a smooth transition for the entire TOTE organization. One of Nolan’s first responsibilities will be to identify his successor – the next president for TOTE Maritime Puerto Rico.

Foss Maritime Arrives in Puerto Rico with Hundreds of Utility Trucks to Help Restore Power Grid

January 29, 2018

SEATTLE, Wash., – Foss arrived this week at the Port of Ponce in Puerto Rico with seven barges loaded with 498 utility trucks as part of the on-going effort to restore power to the island. Offloading of the vessels is underway.

The shipment, from a coalition of 19 U.S. electric companies, included bucket trucks, line trucks, pickups, aerial lifts, CAT skid-steer loaders, digger derricks, and pull trailers. More than 1,000 line workers and other personnel from participating electric companies have flown in to meet the trucks and start work supporting the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority (PREPA) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) to restore power.

Foss made the voyage from the Port of Virginia in Norfolk and the Port of Lake Charles in Louisiana to Ponce, Puerto Rico safely, in under two weeks, with five barges and two ocean-going tugs.

“It’s been an amazing collaboration between Foss and the utility companies to help restore the power grid in Puerto Rico,” said Capt. Peter Roney, Project Manager for Foss, “A lot of people are still without power, so we’re glad that we have the crews and vessels at the ready to help deliver these much needed resources to the island.”

In addition to the company’s latest project shipping utility trucks, Foss has been working in conjunction with Government agencies in support of relief and rebuilding efforts in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands for several months.

Under contract with FEMA, Foss arrived at the island on October 19, 2017 with three accommodation vessels, an ocean-going tug and more than 100 personnel, to provide warm meals and “floating hotels” for hundreds of first responders, including workers from the U.S. Department of Defense, FEMA and AmeriCorps. The company has also been contracted shipped a load of power equipment and three loads of water to the island.

Foss vessels remain in the region to assist as needed through continuing recovery efforts.

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Photos by Alvin Toro. 

TOTE Update on Hawai’i Plans

January 26, 2018

Updates required at Hawai’i Terminals would prevent TOTE from entering Hawai’i trade in 2020/2021

Honolulu, HI – TOTE announced today that its plans to enter the Hawai’ian to mainland service are on hold as a result of its Phase 1 technical review of Piers 1 and 2 in Honolulu Harbor.

In September 2017, the Hawai’i Department of Transportation earmarked for TOTE access to Honolulu Piers 1 and 2 and exclusive use of the adjacent 45 acres beginning in 2020, to coincide with TOTE’s new service to Hawai’i. TOTE subsequently conducted a preliminary study of the site’s infrastructure which indicated that upgrades and improvements will be required to accommodate the new operations.

Due to the scope and timing of the ugrades and improvements, TOTE will not renew the letter of intent (LOI) with Philly Shipyard that expires on January 31, 2018.

TOTE continues to be open to working with the Hawai’i Department of Transportation to update plans and a timeline for access to a Honolulu deep water terminal that would allow commencement of TOTE’s service to Hawai’i.

TOTE remains committed to being a leader in the U.S. shipping industry and seeking new ways to innovate while ensuring customer service that meets the needs of its clients and the communities it serves.