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TOTE Wins Lloyds List 2015 Ocean-Going Ship Operator of the Year Award

February 20, 2015

TOTE was recognized as the winner of the Lloyd’s List award for Ocean-Going Ship Operator of the Year for 2015. Mitch Walker, Vice President of Ship Operations–Government for TOTE Services, attended the event and accepted the award on behalf of TOTE.

“It is an honor to accept this award on behalf of all the TOTE companies. We remain committed to providing the best service to our customers while limiting our impact on the environment and the communities we serve in both Alaska and Puerto Rico” said Mr. Walker upon accepting the award. “Our plans to convert our fleet to liquefied natural gas (LNG) will significantly reduce emissions, result in a safer workplace for our employees, and improve air and water quality.”

Each year, the Lloyd’s List North American Maritime Awards acknowledge industry leaders.

TOTE, Saltchuk featured in ANGA’s new ad

February 17, 2015

New Think About It ad will highlight TOTE’s LNG-powered containerships

The world’s first natural gas powered containerships are getting national attention as the focus of the newest advertisement in the Think About It campaign sponsored by America’s Natural Gas Alliance (ANGA).

The ad, which launched today, highlights TOTE Maritime’s new liquefied natural gas (LNG) containerships. The ships have received praise within the shipping industry since the company made the announcement it was building them in December of 2012, but ANGA’s campaign is expected to catapult the project to the national stage, drawing attention to innovation and environmental responsibility in U.S. shipping.

“TOTE Maritime is the first U.S. maritime company to announce the conversion of its fleet to natural gas,” noted Anthony Chiarello, President and CEO of TOTE, the parent company of TOTE Maritime. “Switching to natural gas will significantly reduce our emissions, improving air quality for our employees and the communities we serve.”

Construction of the first of two new Marlin class ships is nearing completion at the General Dynamics NASSCO shipyard in San Diego, Calif. The first ship will enter service between Jacksonville, Fla., and San Juan, Puerto Rico later this year as the most advanced, environmentally responsible vessel of its kind. The second ship will enter service in early 2016.

“We’re thrilled to highlight TOTE Maritime’s leadership in using natural gas to fuel its newest containership,” ANGA President and CEO Marty Durbin said. “This innovative ship marks a major milestone in the growing use of natural gas for marine transportation, driven by natural gas’ abundant supply and clear environmental benefits.”

TOTE also has plans to convert two of its existing ships serving Anchorage, Alaska, from the Port of Tacoma, Wash., to LNG by 2017. In both markets, the use of natural gas will significantly reduce particulate matter and carbon dioxide emissions along with sulfur oxide and nitrogen oxide.

Mark Tabbutt, Chairman of Seattle-based Saltchuk, the owner of TOTE, commented, “We are proud of TOTE and the work that it is doing to advance LNG as an alternative maritime fuel. It’s an honor and a privilege to have this story told on a national scale.”

ANGA’s ad campaign highlights TOTE and Saltchuk’s investment and leadership in clean energy solutions. Television and radio ads will air today in national outlets and various media markets.

Interstate awarded the honor of “One of the Top 20 Fleets to Drive For”

February 3, 2015

TACOMA, WA – The Truckload Carriers Association (TCA) and CarriersEdge selected Interstate as one of the 2015 Best Fleets to Drive For. The 7th annual survey identifies for-hire trucking companies that provide the best workplace experiences for their drivers. Interstate was evaluated against a scoring matrix covering a variety of categories, including total compensation, health benefits, professional development, and commitment to employee personal growth, continuous improvement, annual driver turnover rate and fleet safety record.

“We are thrilled to receive this recognition. We are proud of the improvements we have made in driver compensation and have introduced some truly outstanding programs that are setting the standard of excellence in this industry. ” Marc Rogers, CEO of Interstate.

“Interstate Distributor has a lot going on, and with the highest driver satisfaction rate in their peer group those investments are obviously paying off. This may be their first time in the Top 20, but we expect that it won’t be their last.” Jane Jazrawy, CEO of Carriers Edge.

Tony, who is a team driver at Interstate, voiced that the changes he has seen over the past few years have been substantial and essential to the growth and success of Interstate and their drivers. Tony is encouraged by all the positive changes and happy to be a part of one of the best fleets to drive for.

The Top 20 fleets will be recognized formally at the upcoming TCA conference in March. Marc Rogers will represent Interstate at the conference where he will accept the award on behalf of all the employees and driving associates of Interstate.

About Truckload Carrier Association
TCA is the only national trade association whose sole focus is the truckload segment of the motor carrier industry. The association represents dry van, refrigerated, flatbed, and intermodal container carriers operating in the 48 contiguous states, as well as Alaska, Mexico, and Canada. TCA represents operators of more than 200,000 trucks, which collectively produce annual revenue of more than $20 billion, TCA is an organization tailored to specific truckload carrier needs.

Interstate is going green, again

December 6, 2014

Interstate Distributor Co. made history in August as the first national freight carrier in the Pacific Northwest to go “green,” purchasing 20 Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) tractors for regional trips along the Interstate 5 corridor out of the company’s yards in Tacoma, Wash. and Fontana, Calif.

“It’s exciting, but this is more of an exploratory test – a beginning,” said CFO James Reed. “We want to try these out and make sure we understand how to work them into our fleet. Right now, we’re viewing it as more of a learning experience than a long-term strategy. If the market continues to move in this direction, we’ll be ahead of the game.”

The trucks – 10 LNG-fueled Kenworth T680 day cabs based in Fontana and 10 52-inch regional sleepers in Tacoma – are more expensive than traditional diesel tractors – between $40,000 and $80,000 more, depending on the vehicle – but the company expects the LNG tractors to pay for themselves in two years.

“(CEO Marc Rogers) feels very passionately that Interstate should be a leader on the green front, a nod to our roots in the Pacific Northwest and the culture of Interstate,” says Reed.

Reed said Interstate jumped at the opportunity to engage in an ongoing, national conversation on building a natural gas fueling infrastructure. The Port of Tacoma approved a lease in August for plans by Puget Sound Energy to build a $275 million LNG facility at the Port to supply Totem Ocean Trailer Express, another Saltchuk company, with LNG to fuel its two Orca-class cargo ships.

“The PSE site should help inasmuch as its presence will provide a local supply point,” Reed said. “The largest portion of our LNG cost is getting to the fuel. With our nearest supply point upward of five hours away, this will lower that cost significantly.”

Meanwhile, Blu LNG, based in Salt Lake City, operates a national network of LNG fueling stations, including one in Sumner, Wash. And while more stations are under construction, the company’s aggressive growth strategy has been slowed while it waits for more fleets to make the conversion to LNG.

Reed said another option is to use Clean Energy Fuels Corp., a California-based company that built and supplied 27 natural gas fueling stations during the first six months of 2014, nine of which were placed along highways. Clean Energy has offered Interstate a temporary mobile fueling station, or “harpoon,” that it will maintain and keep full on Interstate’s yard.

“There are some real challenges there,” Reed said. “Especially in the Northwest, the availability of fueling stations is not widespread. California has much more substantial fueling options.”

Meanwhile, Reed said customer demand has been mixed.

“There are some customers that you’d think would be highly motivated by it, but they’re not,” Reed said, “and then there are some for whom you become a preferred vendor if you have a natural gas fleet.”

Reed said, personally, he is proud of the direction Interstate is headed. A native of Port Orchard, Wash., Reed has an MBA in corporate finance from Brigham Young University.

“When I left there, I went straight to Intel and then to other large, multi-national organizations. While I loved the experience, having this local connection is very important to me. Transportation is such an essential part of our economy – it’s not exportable. I think our goal is to do something meaningful and stay true to our company’s unique culture.”

Saltchuk sponsors Olympic athlete Sadie Bjornsen

December 1, 2014

Bjornsen message of health and wellness well matched to Saltchuk family of companies

Bjornsen visiting with some of the staff and crew at Totem Ocean Trailer Express

Anchorage, AK- Saltchuk is proud to sponsor Olympian Sadie Bjornsen as she prepares to compete in the Women’s Cross Country Skiing event at the 2018 Olympic Winter Games. The 25 year-old lives and trains in Alaska and was raised in Washington State, a “homegrown hero” for many who work in the Saltchuk family of companies.

Bjornsen grew up skiing alongside her parents and siblings in the Methow Valley. As a member of the National Team, she has competed around the world including Europe where she medaled in the World Cup, the highest level of skiing competitions. She took 18^th place in the 2014 Olympic Games and looks forward to returning in 2018 for the Sochi Winter Games. While her skiing trophy case is crowded, she says there is always room for more.

Through Saltchuk’s sponsorship, Bjornsen will serve as a company and community ambassador for healthy and active lifestyles. She will work to inspire kids and families to be engaged with physical activity at appearances and other activities during the year.

Delighted with the sponsorship, Bjornsen says, “I am excited about the new opportunities to represent such a large family of companies and share my values and commitment with them as they do so with their customers and employees. Their support gives me the platform to achieve my goals and allows me to dedicate myself to training and becoming best in my sport as Saltchuk strives for the same in their industry.”

Bjornsen keeps fans updated on her training and travels through her blog and Twitter. She is currently competing in the World Cup in Ruka, Finland and was featured in FIS Cross Country’s video of the opening weekend.