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Saltchuk Hawaii Companies give $150,000 to fund scholarships for neighbor island MBA students

October 10, 2016

The Shidler College of Business at the University of Hawai‘i at Manoa received an gift of $150,000 for scholarships from Saltchuk Hawai‘i companies, which is comprise of Aloha Air Cargo, Maui/Hawaii Petroleum, and Young Brothers. Since 2006, Saltchuk Resources, Inc. and its Saltchuk Hawaii companies have donated approximately $680,000 in scholarships to the Shidler College of Business, affirming their commitment to developing future business leaders on the Neighbor Islands and supporting the communities they serve.

This story published by Shidler College of Business.

The scholarship gift will be used to help Neighbor Island students enrolled in the 2016-2018 Distance Learning Executive MBA program. The scholarship will be awarded based on community service, merit and financial need. To be eligible, students must work on Kaua‘i, Maui, Moloka‘i, Lana‘i or Hawai‘i Island and be a State of Hawai‘i resident.

Distance Learning Executive MBA student  A. Eunny Cook from Maui said, “I am sincerely grateful to Saltchuk Hawaii Companies for their substantial scholarship. This scholarship has afforded all of us from the neighbor island to come together and be part of this transformational experience.”

The 22-month Distance Learning Executive MBA program provides a unique hybrid approach to teaching that combines the Internet, state-of-the-art distance learning technology and traditional teaching methods. The program enables students to expand their business perspectives, sharpen their business skills, build professional networks and earn their MBA degrees—all without leaving their island.

Foss Partners with Seattle Maritime Academy to Provide State-of-the-Art Training for Mariners    

September 21, 2016

Mock up of the simulator complex.

SEATTLE, Wash.-  Foss Maritime has entered into a four-year agreement with the Seattle Maritime Academy to support their new training facility, which includes a state-of-the-art engine room simulator, a full mission bridge simulator and a computer simulation training laboratory.

Foss’ experienced mariners will have access to the new simulators, along with the customized professional development training offered by Seattle Maritime Academy, to support upgrading or renew licensing, and learn new skills.

“At Foss, safety is our top concern. And when it comes to avoiding accidents, there are three things that really help: practice, practice, and practice. Having as much time as possible on a simulator is an excellent way for mariners to build their skills and confidence in vessel handling, navigation, and equipment handling,” said Scott Merritt senior vice president at Foss.

The new facility will also prepare students new to the industry for maritime careers, with professional/technical programs in Maritime Engineering Technology and Marine Deck Technology.

“We are grateful for Foss’ support and participation as we build this new resource for the community, and are looking forward to working with Foss mariners to build their skills,” said Sarah Scherer, Director/Associate Dean of Seattle Maritime Academy.

“This partnership is a continuation of a strong relationship that also includes successfully placing SMA students with Foss for internships, where they receive at-sea and real world experience, while acquiring the required sea time to upgrading their credentials,” she said.

“Foss, like other companies in the maritime industry, is experiencing increasing demand for skilled mariners as many of our employees near retirement. We are excited to have a high quality program here in Seattle to train the next generation of mariners,” said Darlene Crowder, Vice President of Human Resources.

The Seattle Maritime Building 1, comprising of 24,000 square feet in two floors, opening ceremony will be held on October 6, 2016. The building will be christened, like a vessel. Foss and other industry professionals will be in attendance.

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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.

Foss Receives 2016 American Maritime Safety Award 

September 19, 2016

For Zero Tolerance Drug and Alcohol Policy

SEATTLE, Wash. –  American Maritime Safety recognized Foss Maritime’s efforts in building and maintaining a strong culture of safety by awarding the company the American Maritime Safety Award for the implementation and management of zero-tolerance drug and alcohol policy.    
Foss will be presented with the award at the 2016 Annual Membership Meeting and Safety Awards Luncheon on Thursday, October 13.
“Foss has a long history of leading the industry in safety and innovation, and we are honored by this recognition of our drug and alcohol policy,” said Foss President John Parrott. “Our primary concern in all that we do is to keep our employees, equipment and the environments in which we operate safe. We do this with robust safety programs and systems, a constant commitment to improving our reporting and methods, and our relentless push to zero lives lost.”
Foss’ policy, which was updated in 2015, addresses the concerns of opioid abuse and other addiction issues, the legalization of marijuana in many states, and the reasons a zero-tolerance stance is essential to the company’s safety initiatives, and in meeting increasing customer demands and regulations.
“For decades Foss has built a strong reputation of being always ready,” said Foss CEO Paul Stevens in a recent video to employees about the policy. “In more recent years we’ve added always safe. One way that we deliver on this commitment is by upholding a drug and alcohol policy that keeps employees and equipment safe and ready for whenever we report to work.”
American Maritime Safety (AMS) is a non-profit maritime trade association that facilitates the maritime industry’s compliance with international shipping protocols and U.S. Coast Guard regulations. AMS annually recognizes companies that uphold a commitment to manage and operate vessels that are environmentally efficient, safe and dependable, as well as promoting responsible maritime work practices.
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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.

StratAir joins the Saltchuk family of companies

July 15, 2016

Based in Miami, Florida, StratAir’s (previously Strategic Air Services) primary focus is consolidating air freight from facilities at the Miami International Airport to and from international markets including Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, Haiti and Peru.

StratAir runs with several divisions, encompassing; a modern, flexible fleet of Boeing 767-300F/200F freight, a ground & warehouse handling service unit, a trucking division for line haul transportation and an aircraft fueling unit. While StratAir is not an airline, it is a user of approximately 400 to 500 hours of wide-body flying each month, making it the perfect addition to the NAS companies

The founder and current president, Terry Went, will continue to manage the business along with most of the current employees.

Tropical Shipping to Update Fleet With Six New Vessels

July 5, 2016

Tropical signs order for six new vessels from Guangzhou Wenchong Shipyard

Palm Beach, FL.—In early June, executives from Tropical Shipping traveled to Guangzhou, China to sign an order for six new vessels; the order represents close to $150 million dollars in fleet reinvestment and commitment to the Caribbean market. On order from Guangzhou Wenchong Shipyard are two Carib class vessels, two Mini Express class vessels and two additional Carib class option vessels.

“The objective of Tropical’s new build program is to provide for continued future market leadership and profitability by having the right size ships with the right operating characteristics for our marketplace,” said Tropical Shipping’s Executive Chairman Rick Murrell. “Essential operating characteristics such as optimal refrigerated capacity will ensure that Tropical Shipping can meet future customer needs and changing market demands with its differentiated service.”

Carib class vessels are similar to Tropical’s Tropic Carib and Tropic Unity, which entered into service in 2002. The new1,100 TEU vessels feature a service speed of 20 knots and are equipped with, 2 cranes, 260 reefer plugs, hi-cubes below deck, and bow and stern thrusters that will minimize the need for tugs.

Two new Carib class vessels will replace two chartered vessels, greatly improving service time from Saint John, Canada and Palm Beach, Florida to San Juan, Puerto Rico; St. Thomas and St. Maarten. Two additional vessels on option would replace the Tropic Sun and Tropic Tide currently deployed in the St. Thomas Leeward Trade, as they are operating at 100% capacity.  The Sun and Tide would then be redeployed to the Nassau and Cayman services.

Mini Express class vessels are similar to the Tropic Express, which entered service in 2011. The two 300 TEU vessels are equipped with 2 cranes, a ramp for roll-on roll-off cargo,  60 reefer plugs, and bow and stern thrusters. The Mini Express vessels are able to serve shallow draft ports such as Providenciales, and will replace two Night class vessels currently deployed in the Marsh Harbour–Turks and Caicos–Dominican Republic service.

“Tropical Shipping has been and continues to be the leader in ocean transportation to the Caribbean. Tropical develops and maintains outstanding relationships with our customers and provides them unmatched on time reliability and fast, purpose built, versatile ships.  Our vessels are first to market with our customers’ freight,” said Murrell.

The $150 million dollar investment includes all six ships, as well as $5 million for additional equipment such as containers, chassis and gensets to support the added capacity.