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Perla del Caribe will reduce air emissions and result in healthier communities
San Diego, CA – Saturday, TOTE and NASSCO launched Perla del Caribe, the second of two Marlin Class ships – the first containerships in the world to be powered by natural gas.
The Perla del Caribe and her sister ship, christened Isla Bella, were purpose-built for the Puerto Rican trade for TOTE Shipholdings and will be operated by TOTE subsidiary Sea Star Line out of Jacksonville, Florida. By moving to natural gas, an environmentally superior fuel, the Marlins will reduce NOx emissions by 98 percent, SOx by 97 percent, carbon dioxide by 72 and particulate matter by 60 percent over the Ponce Class ships – the company’s vessels currently serving the trade.
Tim Nolan, President of Sea Star Line, noted “The ability to innovate and lead in the maritime sector is something that comes along once in a lifetime. . .These ships and the technology they employ will redefine what is possible in the shipping industry both here in the United States and abroad.”
Tim Engle, President of Saltchuk TOTE’s parent company also spoke at the launch ceremony. He highlighted that “TOTE is one of six lines of business that together create a national transportation network, moving cargo by land, sea and air. Saltchuk continually invests in our operations, ensuring that we provide safe, stable and proud environments for our more than 7,500 employees to come to work each day.” Reducing emissions and improving the safety of the ships TOTE operates will ensure Saltchuk and TOTE continue to set the industry standard for safety, reliability and environmental commitment.
Emma Engle, the daughter of Tim Engle and third generation of Saltchuk ownership, is the ship’s sponsor and had the honor of christening and launching the vessel.
“The Marlin Class ships are the most fuel efficient, eco-friendly containerships in the world. As the first of their kind, these ships represent the next generation of US-built ships and we at General Dynamics NASSCO are proud to be leading in that effort,” said Fred Harris, president of General Dynamics NASSCO.
“Once in service the Perla del Caribe and her sister ship will be crewed by the men and women of the Seafarers International Union (SIU) and the American Maritime Officers (AMO). These organizations have a rich and distinguished history of supporting the US merchant marine with the best maritime personnel in the world, ensuring TOTE is able to deliver safe and reliable service day in and day out. We are proud of our strong partnership with SIU and AMO.” commented Phil Greene, President of TOTE Services the TOTE vessel management company that will crew and manage the Marlin Class ships.
The Perla del Caribe will enter service in the first quarter of 2016 between Jacksonville, Florida and San Juan, Puerto Rico. The Isla Bella, the first Marlin Class vessel, launched in April of 2015 and will enter service later this year.
HONOLULU, HI. — A new chapter in clean energy is starting in Hawaii. At Young Brothers Ltd.’s Port of Honolulu facility, Sandia National Laboratories is leading the Maritime Hydrogen Fuel Cell project to test a hydrogen-fuel-cell-powered generator as an alternative to conventional diesel generators.
“We are pleased to help expand this clean energy technology to new applications,” said Young Brothers, Ltd., President Glenn Hong. Young Brothers is hosting a project led by Sandia National Laboratories to test a hydrogen-fuel-cell-powered generator as an alternative to diesel in powering refrigerated containers. (Photo by David Murphey)
The project kickoff was marked with a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz, D-Hawaii, Young Brothers President Glenn Hong and Sandia California Vice President Marianne Walck.
“Today, we take another big step in transforming our nation to a clean energy economy,” said Schatz. “The fuel cell technology being deployed today will one day mean less carbon pollution in our ports and on the high seas. The great work from all the partners involved, especially Young Brothers, is helping lead the way to a cleaner, more energy-efficient future.”
In June, Hawaii Gov. David Ige signed four energy bills, including one that strengthens Hawaii’s commitment to clean energy by directing the state’s utilities to generate 100 percent of their electricity sales from renewable resources by 2045. As the most oil-dependent state in the nation and one that could be most affected by rising sea levels, Hawaii has become an early adopter of emerging technologies and innovative energy solutions.
Hydrogen more efficient than diesel
Planning for the Maritime Hydrogen Fuel Cell project began in late 2012 with a study that determined that hydrogen fuel cells could replace diesel generators in providing auxiliary power on board and to ships at berth. The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Fuel Cell Technologies Office and the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration are funding the six-month deployment of the hydrogen-fuel-cell-powered generator.
“At the point of use, hydrogen fuel cells produce nothing but water — zero pollutant emissions and no greenhouse gases,” said Joe Pratt, Sandia’s project lead. “This technology could enable major commercial ports and marine vessels to lessen their environmental impacts.”
An analysis by Sandia and DOE showed that due to fluctuating loads in maritime auxiliary power applications, a hydrogen fuel cell, which only supplies power when it is needed, is more energy efficient than a diesel engine.
Hydrogenics Corp. designed and built the hydrogen fuel cell generator unit, comprised of four 30-kilowatt fuel cells, a hydrogen storage system and power-conversion equipment, all packaged in a 20-foot shipping container. With 75 kilograms of on-board hydrogen storage, the generator has enough energy to power 10 refrigerated containers for 20 continuous hours of operation.
Clean power at the Port of Honolulu
The unit already is providing power to refrigerated containers on shore. Soon it will begin powering the same refrigerated containers on Young Brothers’ barges that distribute goods to Hawaii’s other islands. Young Brothers is a subsidiary of Foss Maritime Co.
“Young Brothers will be testing and demonstrating this technology on our on-shore and ocean environments over the next six months,” said Hong. “We are very pleased to have been selected to participate in this project with our many national and international partners in expanding this clean technology into new applications.”
Hickam Air Force Base in Honolulu is supplying the hydrogen to power the fuel cell. The hydrogen is produced by electrolysis, the process of splitting water into hydrogen and oxygen, using electricity supplied by Hickam’s solar-powered electrical grid.
Future deployment and other ports
Following the six-month test of the fuel cell unit, the project team will analyze the project’s successes and challenges, including the operating and cost parameters needed to make a business case at other ports.
“The long-range goal is to develop a commercial-ready technology that can be widely used at other ports,” said Pratt. “The project team sees a strong market need and desire for a fuel cell solution, not only at maritime ports but also for users who aren’t connected to a grid. That could extend to developing countries and remote locations worldwide.”
To learn more, visit Sandia’s Maritime Hydrogen website.
Sandia National Laboratories is a multi-program laboratory operated by Sandia Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of Lockheed Martin Corp., for the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration. With main facilities in Albuquerque, N.M., and Livermore, Calif., Sandia has major R&D responsibilities in national security, energy and environmental technologies and economic competitiveness.
Tacoma, WA – Totem Ocean Trailer Express (Totem Ocean) announced that it has signed a contract with Keppel Offshore & Marine Ltd (Keppel O&M)’s wholly owned subsidiary Keppel Shipyard Ltd for the conversion of the Midnight Sun to dual fuel liquefied natural gas (LNG) propulsion. This is the world’s first major conversion of a large RO/RO vessel to LNG. The work will begin in December and is expected to be completed in 90 days.
Once complete, the Midnight Sun will emit fewer air and greenhouse gas emissions, reducing emissions of particulate matter by 91 percent, NOx by 100 percent, SOx by 90 percent and carbon dioxide by 35 percent. Her sister ship, the North Star, is expected to be converted in the 2016/2017 time frame.
Totem Ocean will be the first in North America to begin the conversion to natural gas. Totem Ocean is part of the TOTE and Saltchuk organization that is leading the maritime industry into LNG with the introduction of the world’s first LNG powered containership into the Puerto Rico trade later this year.
“Totem Ocean is excited to partner with Keppel for the conversion of the Midnight Sun, enabling her to operate on natural gas” stated John Parrott, President of Totem Ocean. “The removal and replacement of the four engines, adding 2,200 cubic meters of LNG capacity along with the addition of 47 kilometers of new cabling is a complex undertaking, and we are confident that Keppel will provide safe, timely, high-quality work to ensure the best outcome for Totem Ocean and our customers.”
Mr Michael Chia, Managing Director (Marine & Technology), Keppel Offshore & Marine, said, “We are happy to start a new partnership with Totem Ocean who has entrusted us with the conversion of their first RO/RO vessel to run on both diesel and natural gas. Due to natural gas’ cleaner burning properties, more and more vessel owners are choosing to have their ships powered by LNG. Leveraging our strong track record and experience in ship modification and conversion work, Keppel is well positioned to capture this growing market to meet the industry’s needs for environmentally friendly solutions.”
Puget Sound Energy, in partnership with Totem Ocean and the Port of Tacoma, has plans to construct an LNG liquefaction terminal at the Port that will serve Totem Ocean, residents of Puget Sound and the broader transportation industry in the Pacific Northwest. This facility is scheduled to be complete by the end of 2018.
In the short term, TOTE and its partner WesPac are building North America’s first LNG bunker barge to deliver fuel to the ships once converted.
Saltchuk Hawaii Companies Supports Reading Through Generous Donation to Book Trust
Maui County, HI—Saltchuk, a family owned company and the parent company of Aloha Air Cargo, Hawaii/Maui Petroleum, Ohana Fuels, Minit Stop, Young Brothers, and Foss Hawaii has pledged $10,000 to Book Trust in support of Maui elementary school students. Book Trust, a national literacy organization, provides books to children from low-income families, books students choose themselves and that become their very own.
Book Trust operates in fifteen states and serves over 36,000 children, including 4,500 students in Maui. The Saltchuk Hawaii Companies donation allows Book Trust to provide the opportunity for 100 children to select and own roughly 3,000 books over the course of the school year.
“Studies prove book choice and ownership inspire a child’s passion for reading and contribute to strong literacy skills and learning,” said Book Trust President & CEO, Amy Friedman. “Our goal is to help inspire that passion by creating literacy-rich environments for kids and families.
Putting more books in the hands and homes of kids is the first step in not only cultivating a love of reading but an increased chance at academic success.”
Thanks to the support of Saltchuk, students will have the opportunity to grow their personal, at- home libraries.
“This generous contribution is so important to our students and families,” said Halle Maxwell, Principal of Kihei Elementary. “Thanks to Saltchuk, Book Trust will continue to help us grow our school-to-home literacy connection. For many of our students, this is a vital and needed opportunity to continue to build their home library and the support we’ve received means we can help them develop a love of books at an early age.”
To date, Book Trust has put 3.5 million books in the hands of students nationwide. With national offices based jointly in Colorado and Hawaii, Book Trust’s Hawaii focus has placed over 830,000 books in the hands and homes of over 5,000 children across the state. Saltchuk’s gift will ensure Book Trust continues to uniquely offer choice and ownership of books to young students.
“Literacy is the foundation of learning, and if we can help promote literacy and learning among children, we know we are doing something to help improve an entire community. Through Book Trust, students at 14 Elementary schools in Maui County will receive up to three books per month to bring home and share with their siblings and families. By the end of the school year, that can be thirty books, and that can have a meaningful impact,” stated Saltchuk Regional Giving Committee member Kimo Haynes, President of Maui and Hawaii Petroleum.
To learn more about Book Trust and its efforts to promote reading and literacy among children of low-income families in Hawaii and nationwide, please visit booktrust.org
About Book Trust
Book Trust is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to empower children from low-income families to choose and own books, inspiring a passion for reading and cultivating increased literacy skills and life-long learning. Established in 2001, Book Trust currently serves over 30,000 students in 15 states. To date, Book Trust has put over 3.5 million books in the hands and homes of kids. For more about Book Trust, visit booktrust.org
About Saltchuk Resources’ Hawai‘i-based Companies
The Saltchuk Hawaii Companies consist of Aloha Air Cargo, Maui and Hawaii Petroleum, Minit Stop Shops, Young Brothers, and Foss Hawaii. Young Brothers provides scheduled cargo services by barge throughout the Hawaiian Islands; Maui Petroleum and Hawaii Petroleum provide fuel distribution services; Aloha Air Cargo provides air cargo services throughout the Hawaiian Islands, Foss Maritime provides harbor ship assist services; and Minit Stop locations provide convenience retail services on Maui and Hawai‘i.
The award is given to self-propelled merchant vessels that have operated for two full years or more without a crewmember losing a full turn at watch because of an occupational injury. The Jones F. Devlin award publicly recognizes the skills and dedication of the hardworking men and women who are responsible for those safe vessel operations.
The 75 Foss vessels were recognized at the CSA Annual Safety Awards Luncheon held this year on May 28th in New Orleans.
Altogether, the Foss vessels achieved the equivalent of 529 years of incident-free operation. Sixty-three vessels had five or more years, and ten vessels boasted 10 to 21 years without a lost-time injury.
“Foss takes safety very seriously,” said Paul Stevens, Foss president and CEO. “The safety of our people and the environment are always our top concerns, and this is evident in all of our operations. We’re proud of our safety programs, intensive trainings, resources and operations. We believe that every person has the right to return home safely at night, and we do all that we can to make sure that happens.”
ABOUT THE CHAMBER OF SHIPPING OF AMERICA The Chamber of Shipping of America represents 31 U.S. based companies that own, operate or charter oceangoing tankers, container ships, dry bulk vessels engaged in both the domestic and international trades and companies that maintain a commercial interest in the operation of such oceangoing vessels. Current members include companies that own or operate U.S. flag or foreign-flag ships. A company owning or operating only foreign-flag tonnage must have an office in the United States to qualify for membership.
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Book Trust operates in fifteen states and serves over 36,000 children, including 4,500 students in Maui. The Saltchuk Hawaii Companies donation allows Book Trust to provide the opportunity for 100 children to select and own roughly 3,000 books over the course of the school year.