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TOTE Maritime Playing Critical Role in Delivery of Relief Goods to Puerto Rico

October 26, 2017

Jacksonville, FL – TOTE Maritime, through its partnerships with diverse organizations and individuals such as Monica Puig and the American Red Cross, is playing a leading role in the delivery of relief cargo to Puerto Rico.

Eduardo Pagan, TOTE Maritime VP in Puerto Rico and Monica Puig helped coordinate the distribution of relief supplies.

Earlier this week, TOTE Maritime delivered containers filled with fuel, stoves and medicine on behalf of Monica Puig and Maria Sharapova who visited the island to distribute these items. “I am so thankful for the help that TOTE Maritime has given me with my relief efforts for Puerto Rico. To be able to have the supplies  shipped to the island in such a fast, safe and efficient manner means the world to me and enabled to make it possible to hand out all these products to the people that needed it so badly”  noted Ms. Puig, a Puerto Rican tennis player and the reigning Olympic champion.

TOTE Maritime has also worked closely with customers and non-profit organizations to meet the ever changing and increasing needs of the island.

Chris Swartz, Director of AJC Logistics noted “TOTE Maritime’s efforts to support our company, our customers and, most importantly, the people on the island have been extraordinary. Their flexibility and solutions oriented approach in this time of crisis is ensuring the timely delivery of relief goods while sustaining and reinvigorating the island’s economy. They are the leader of refrigerated cargo shipment to the island.  Reliable refrigerated cargo delivery means restaurants, retailers and hotels are open and people are able to get back to work and support their families.”

Sergio Sandrin, President of Aquagulf Transport, commented “Since Maria hit Puerto Rico, we have worked closely with TOTE Maritime to keep our customers supply chain moving forward. Over the last month, at every step along the way, TOTE has clearly communicated the challenges and worked with us on solutions.”

TOTE Maritime Puerto Rico team in San Juan

TOTE Maritime and its partners are committed to meeting to the immediate needs of the island while also supporting the long-term regeneration of the island’s economy which is critical for the people and communities of Puerto Rico as they adjust to life after Hurricane Maria.

“We are appreciative for the partnership with TOTE Maritime to support the people of Puerto Rico following Hurricane Maria,” said Lauren Ulrich, Director of Logistics Support for Disaster Cycle Services at the American Red Cross. “TOTE’s commitment to people, communities and the environment make them a good disaster response partner.”

Since Hurricane Maria, TOTE Maritime has delivered more than 9300 containers of relief good and cargo to the island. The Isla Bella arrived yesterday with more than 1040 containers and the Perla del Caribe will arrive this weekend.

TOTE Maritime Cargo to Puerto Rico has Increased Twenty Percent Since Hurricane Maria

October 19, 2017

Utility truck shipped to Puerto Rico by TOTE Maritime

Jacksonville, FL – Since Hurricane Maria made landfall in Puerto Rico on September 19, TOTE Maritime’s vessels have brought cargo to the island nine times delivering more than 7200 containers of food, water, oxygen, generators and other essential relief and recovery items. This is along with the regular day to day commercial needs for the island.

Through its efforts, TOTE Maritime has supported a twenty percent increase in cargo movement to the island. TOTE Maritime and its customers are working closely together to ensure the most critical items are receiving priority status, expediting their movement off the ships and into the communities.

This would not be possible without the engagement of key transportation partners including truckers, stevedores, Puerto Rican Tax Department (Hacienda) and the Puerto Rico Port Authority. This ongoing partnership and coordination has ensured a steady flow of cargo leaving the terminal once a ship arrives.

A container of ice shipped and donated by TOTE Maritime Puerto Rico.

Offloading goods quickly and efficiently is also an integral step in the delivery and distribution process. Puerto Rico Terminals has been a critical partner and supported a significant increase in vessel traffic and cargo as relief goods are being sent to the island. Immediately following Hurricane Maria, Puerto Rico Terminals brought eight (8) engineers to Puerto Rico to reestablish crane operations and generator power that is necessary for unloading cargo in the port. Puerto Rico Terminals continues to accommodate additional vessels and to date has offloaded more than 9,000 containers including seven (7) relief ships for the people of Puerto Rico.

TOTE Maritime’s Isla Bella arrived Tuesday night with more than 1050 containers and the Perla del Caribe is expected to arrive in San Juan this weekend. As of this week, the movement of cargo at the TOTE Maritime terminal in San Juan has returned to the levels seen before Hurricane Maria.

Glenn Hong celebrates 25 years at Young Brothers with retirement and transition to parent company, leading Saltchuk’s Hawaii business initiatives

October 12, 2017

Hong will lead Saltchuk’s Hawaii initiatives beginning January 1, 2018.

Honolulu – Young Brothers, Ltd has announced Glenn Hong will retire at the end of the year as company president to undertake a new leadership role with parent company Saltchuk, focusing on Hawaii business initiatives effective January 1, 2018.

“I’ve deeply valued the opportunity to serve Hawaii by maintaining and even enhancing Young Brothers’ 117+-year legacy as the leading shipping company connecting our island state,” said Hong. “I look forward to pursuing a new role with Saltchuk and helping to support its family of companies in the islands.”

Hong began at Young Brothers in 1991 as vice president of Finance and Government Affairs, coming from Hawaiian Electric Industries. In 1992, he assumed the presidency and immediately set to work to infuse the organization with a customer-driven mindset.

Hong joined the Saltchuk organization in 1999, when the company acquired Young Brothers and Hawaiian Tug & Barge from Hawaiian Electric Industries. From the beginning, Saltchuk sought to create a family of companies that were part of the fabric of the community. In the next decade, Hawaii Petroleum, Minit Stop and Ohana Fuels, as well as Aloha Air Cargo were added to the family.

Under Hong’s leadership, Young Brothers has undergone a fleet modernization initiative to meet neighbor island cargo needs into the next generation. By the end of 2018, Young Brothers will have made capital investment of over $180 million in new vessels and shore-side equipment. These investments include four new large 11,700-ton capacity barges as well as a 5,600-ton multi-deck roll-on/roll-off barge for vehicle transportation that is currently in service. In addition, in 2016, Young Brothers commenced construction of four new 6,000 HP American-built tugs that are slated to begin service in the middle of 2018. These investments will enhance operational efficiency for the company and improve reliability for Hawaii customers.

Having positioned Young Brothers for the future, Hong will shift his focus to represent Saltchuk’s Hawaii operations.

“Glenn is not only well-regarded within our organization, he is a valued and respected member of the Hawaii business community. We are grateful for his contributions at Young Brothers and are looking forward to his new role at Saltchuk,” said Saltchuk President Tim Engle.

Young Brothers has not yet named a successor for Hong. Saltchuk’s marine services business, Foss Maritime, is expected to make an announcement in the coming months.

Foss Maritime President, John Parrott, recognized Hong’s service and accomplishments, “We take this moment to honor Glenn – for his dedication, his deep employee, community and industry relationships, and for his keen commitment to cargo services within the most water-borne dependent state in the nation. He has been steadfast in his work with the tenets of balance and justice for customers, employees and investors.”

In his new role Hong will remain based in Honolulu and will continue his decades-long commitment to serving the people of Hawaii.

TOTE Maritime Working Closely with Partners to Expedite Cargo, Restore Critical Infrastructure to Puerto Rico

October 4, 2017

Eduardo Pagan, VP and General Manager for TOTE Maritime Puerto Rico, meets with Governor Rosello at the TOTE Terminal in San Juan

Jacksonville, FL – TOTE Maritime continues to work closely with a variety of partners and the Puerto Rican government to expedite cargo and restore critical infrastructure to communities throughout Puerto Rico. TOTE Maritime is providing logistical support for the government for all cargo and containers they are distributing as well as providing transportation for communications and power companies bringing supplies to the island.

TOTE Maritime, in partnership with customers, vendors and the broader community, continues to increase productivity at the terminal. TOTE Maritime is at 80 percent productivity. Productivity continues to improve every day thanks to the hard work of Puerto Ricans who are committed to distributing goods communities, stores and shelters around the island.

TOTE Maritime continues to coordinate with the Red Cross and other relief organizations to ensure the timely and consistent arrival of goods to the island. The Isla Bella arrived on Sunday October 1 with more than 1040 FEUS of cargo. In the last 2 days more than 550 containers have left TOTE Maritime’s facility in San Juan for distribution in communities and delivery to stores. In addition, the Perla del Caribe is scheduled to arrive on Friday with 1060 FEUs of cargo. These shipments include bucket trucks, electrical poles, food, water, ice and fuel amongst other critical items for the island.

TOTE Maritime is shipping trucks and other key equipment for power and communications companies

TOTE Maritime is committed to supporting Puerto Rico throughout the recovery and rebuilding process.

Other TOTE Maritime efforts include:

•  Transportation of relief and recovery goods for more than 20 organizations including businesses, FEMA and various non-governmental organizations
• Facilitate the immediate need of a large generator to one of Puerto
• Rico’s major food distributors to support relief throughout the island
•  Engagement of key power contractors to support increased generator capacity on island
• Terminal operations seven days a week to allow for distribution of goods throughout the week
• Donations of water and ice to the government for key communities

Foss Maritime Joins FEMA’s Response and Relief Operations in Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands    

October 4, 2017

SEATTLE – Foss Maritime Company announced today that it has contracted with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to support the relief and rebuilding efforts in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands following the devastation caused by Hurricane Irma and Hurricane Maria.

Three accommodation vessels are being utilized and will serve as floating hotels, providing safe housing and warm meals for responders. With these vessels, Foss will be able to help feed and temporarily house 729 people.

“We have the ability and the commitment to serve the wide range of needs of hurricane victims in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, and are prepared to offer additional services, as needed, to FEMA and other federal agencies throughout all relief efforts,” said Will Roberts, Foss CCO.  

“For Foss, this type of project is at the heart of what we do. We are glad to do our part to help the families affected by this devastating disaster by enlisting the skills of our finest operators and providing needed equipment,” he said.

Foss has deployed a multiple disciplined team consisting of operations, fleet engineering, project management, safety, marine assurance, supply chain, legal and finance.

Foss sister companies, Tropical Shipping and Tote Maritime Puerto Rico, employ 42 employees in Puerto Rico and 115 in the U.S. Virgin Islands.

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ABOUT FOSS MARITIME
Founded in 1889, Seattle-based Foss Maritime offers a complete range of maritime services and project management to customers across the Pacific Rim, Europe, South America and around the globe. Foss has one of the largest fleets of tugs and barges on the American West Coast. The company has harbor services and transportation operations in all major U.S. West Coast ports, including the Columbia and Snake River system, Hawaii and Alaska. Foss operates two shipyards and offers worldwide marine transportation, emphasizing safety, environmental responsibility and high-quality service. See www.foss.com for more information.