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At Saltchuk we’re proud of the positive impact our companies are making in their respective industries and communities. Regular updates will be posted here. Media Inquiries? Contact Emily Reiter at .General Dynamics NASSCO delivers world’s first LNG-powered containership, the Isla Bella, to TOTE
October 16, 2015
Fueled by liquefied natural gas, the containership will be the cleanest cargo-carrying ship in world.
TOTE 1 at Sea Trials in August 2015
SAN DIEGO, CA. – Today, General Dynamics NASSCO delivered the world’s first liquefied natural gas (LNG) powered containership, the Isla Bella, to TOTE Maritime. The ship was delivered nearly two months ahead of schedule. NASSCO is a wholly owned subsidiary of General Dynamics (NYSE: GD).
As part of a two-ship contract signed in December 2012 with TOTE, the 764-foot long Marlin Class containerships will be the largest dry cargo ships powered by LNG, making them the cleanest cargo-carrying ships anywhere in the world. This groundbreaking green ship technology will dramatically decrease emissions and increase fuel efficiency when compared to conventionally-powered ships, the equivalent of removing 15,700 automobiles from the road.
“Successfully building and delivering the world’s first LNG-powered containership here in the United States for coastwise service demonstrates that commercial shipbuilders, and owners and operators, are leading the world in the introduction of cutting-edge, green technology in support of the Jones Act,” said Kevin Graney, vice president and general manager of General Dynamics NASSCO.
The delivery of this historic ship, also demonstrates successful collaboration between industry and regulatory bodies. TOTE, NASSCO, the American Bureau of Shipping, and the U.S. Coast Guard worked hand-in-hand from the beginning of the project to the delivery of the Isla Bella. This included collaboration during the design approval, construction and commissioning the ship to safely and effectively operate on natural gas.
Emissions Reductions compared to Current vessels in the Puerto Rico Trade
The Jones Act-qualified ships will operate between Jacksonville, Florida, and San Juan, Puerto Rico.
As a complement to its government new construction business segment, NASSCO maintains an extensive history of commercial shipbuilding. In the past decade, NASSCO delivered eleven commercial ships and currently has ten commercial ships in its backlog, including the two Marlin Class containerships for TOTE.
For its commercial work, NASSCO partners with South Korean shipbuilding power, DSME, for access to state-of-the-art ship design and shipbuilding technologies.
NASSCO specializes in the design and construction of auxiliary and support ships for the U.S. Navy and oil tankers and dry cargo carriers for commercial markets. It is also a major provider of repair services for the Navy, with capabilities in San Diego, California; Norfolk, Virginia; Bremerton, Washington; and Mayport, Florida. Its San Diego location remains the only major shipyard on the West Coast of the United States conducting new construction and repair.
For more information, visit www.nassco.com.
More information about General Dynamics can be found at www.generaldynamics.com.
Foss Maritime Opens Houston Office
October 12, 2015
John Tirpak will lead the Houston office.
Mike Lauer will head up the new PM group
Creating New Marine Transportation Project Management Group
SEATTLE, WA. – Foss recently announced the opening of a new office to support and grow its increasing customer base headquartered in Houston, Texas, and the formation of a new project management group.
John Tirpak of Foss has been appointed Vice President of Business Development & Contract Services and will be relocating to Houston to develop business in the region and lead the business development function of the entire Marine Transportation division from the new office. He will oversee domestic and international business development, sales and marketing. Additionally, Tirpak will manage long-term Marine Transportation contracts like CN Aquatrain, TECK and United Launch Alliance.
Mike Lauer of Foss has been appointed Director of Marine Transportation Project Services and will be leading the project management unit. This group is comprised of project management and global logistics specialists focused on analyzing and finding solutions for the transportation activities of Foss. This group, based out of Foss’ corporate offices in Seattle, will manage all Foss term contracts and all project tows and transportation projects.
The project management unit will work closely with Foss’ Harbor Marine Group, a division of the company comprised of naval architects and a complete suite of specialists practicing in all fields of engineering. This group has been a part of Foss since 2006, offering project management, marine engineering, naval architecture and design, and expertise in rigging and fabrication.
“By separating our business development and project management functions, we will on one hand be able to provide our customers with a team focused entirely on the development, oversight and management of all aspects of their projects; while at the same time supporting our internal need to grow the Marine Transportation division with dedicated business development efforts in areas like Houston that have the most opportunity for growth,” said Gary Faber, Senior Vice President, Marine Transportation and President, Global Services.
“When combined with the Harbor Marine Group’s naval architecture, engineering and rigging expertise, we will be able to take on any marine transportation project from cradle-to-grave, giving our customers the very highest level of service and an uncompromising focus on the safety of our employees, our customers and the environment in the delivery of the services at hand,” Faber added.
Both Tirpak and Lauer are long-time Foss employees. “As part of the restructuring of the division, I looked to these two seasoned professionals, both with in-depth knowledge of our operations, our personnel and our customers’ needs, to lead the key functions of business development and project management,” said Faber. “They share a focus on continually improving customer service and building strong relationships between our customers and staff with an eye to the future.”
TOTE Establishes Family Relief Fund at Seamen’s Church
October 9, 2015
TOTE Establishes Fund for Families of Crew at the Seamen’s Church Institute
Jacksonville, FL – Earlier this week TOTE announced the creation of a family relief fund whose resources will be used to support the families of the El Faro crew. The fund will be held and administered by the Seamen’s Church Institute, North America’s largest mariners’ service agency.
“Over the last few days we have had hundreds of employees, mariners, customers and individuals from around the country inquire about where to donate in support of the families” noted Anthony Chiarello, President and CEO of TOTE. “This fund will ensure that 100 percent of all gifts goes directly to the families as they deal with the loss of a loved one. We continue to keep the families and loved ones of the crew of the El Faro in our thoughts and prayers.”
TOTE will also be establishing an education fund for the children of the El Faro crew members that will support diverse educational needs.
Information about the fund can be found here: http://elfaroincident.com/family-fund/
(Updated Oct. 15)
About Seamen’s Church Institute
Founded in 1834 and affiliated with the Episcopal Church, though nondenominational in terms of its trustees, staff and service to mariners, the Seamen’s Church Institute of New York & New Jersey (SCI) is the largest, most comprehensive mariners’ agency in North America. Annually, its chaplains visit thousands of vessels in the Port of New York and New Jersey, the Port of Oakland, and along 2,200 miles of America’s inland waterways and into the Gulf of Mexico. SCI’s maritime education facilities provide navigational training to nearly 1,600 mariners each year through simulator-based facilities located in Houston, TX and Paducah, KY. The Institute and its maritime attorneys are recognized as leading advocates for merchant mariners by the United States Government, including the US Congress, the US Coast Guard, and the Department of Homeland Security, as well as the United Nations, the International Maritime Organization, the International Labor Organization and maritime trade associations.
Dedicated site available for El Faro updates
October 3, 2015
President of TOTE Maritime issues statement concerning the El Faro and her crew
Jacksonville, FL – Tim Nolan, President of TOTE Maritime Puerto Rico, issued the following statement regarding ongoing efforts to locate and communicate with the El Faro and her crew.
“TOTE Maritime continues to work closely with the US Coast Guard and all available resources to locate and establish communication with the El Faro.
As noted in a recent statement from the Coast Guard, search and rescue crews began first light search efforts Saturday with a HC-130 Hercules fixed-wing aircraft from Coast Guard Air Station Clearwater, Florida. Additional resources are being deployed throughout the day and we will provide updates as we gather information from these efforts.
In addition to a dedicated media information line listed above (866.890.6763) an informational website has been activated for media and interested parties at www.ElFaroIncident.com. Our team continues work closely with the US Coast Guard and all resources activated in the search and will make timely, accurate updates via the website and phone line as they are available.”
TOTE announces shift to unified brand for maritime companies
September 17, 2015
Totem Ocean Trailer Express, Sea Star Line are now TOTE Maritime
Princeton, NJ. – TOTE, one of the nations most respected Jones Act carriers, today announced a shift within its operating companies. Sea Star Line, which serves Puerto Rico and the Caribbean, and Totem Ocean Trailer Express, serving the Alaska market, will now be known collectively as TOTE Maritime.
Both companies provide critical infrastructure and cargo to Alaska and Puerto Rico and are market leaders. Sea Star Line has delivered goods to Puerto Rico for more than 30 years with twice weekly reliable service that is responsible for goods traveling from the U.S. to the island.
Totem Ocean Trailer Express also provides twice weekly service to Alaska and is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year. Totem Ocean delivers goods that are needed by communities throughout Alaska.
In addition to their successful track records serving the market, both companies are switching their vessels to run on natural gas, part of TOTE’s long term strategy to be the most environmentally friendly shipping company in the world. Totem Ocean will begin the conversion of its first ship to natural gas this fall. “This is an exciting time, not just for our company but for the industry as a whole. TOTE Maritime and the TOTE organization will always strive to be the most reliable, responsive, and resourceful shipping company in the U.S. to meet the needs of our customers and the communities we serve” noted John Parrott, President of Totem Ocean Trailer Express.
Tim Nolan, President of Sea Star line also commented that “TOTE’s Puerto Rico service is preparing to welcome the world’s first natural gas powered containerships. This is a key component of the TOTE LNG strategy and is a reflection of our commitment to the island and the communities we serve. The shift to TOTE Maritime enables us to highlight the changes we are making nationally.”
TOTE Maritime is part of the TOTE family of companies which also includes TOTE Services, a leading edge ship management company that specializes in natural gas projects and technical services for both government and commercial vessels.
Check out the new TOTE Maritime website at www.totemaritime.com