Marine Link
Tuesday, March 19, 2024
SUBSCRIBE

Totem Ocean Trailer Express News

30 Oct 2015

ABS to Class US' First LNG Bunker Barge

ABS has been selected to class an LNG bunker barge under construction at Conrad Orange Shipyard, Inc, a division of Conrad Shipyard, LLC, for WesPac Midstream LLC and Clean Marine Energy LLC (CME), the classification society announced. The 2,200 cu m barge is scheduled for delivery in mid-2016 and will initially be deployed in Tacoma, Wash., to service shipowner Totem Ocean Trailer Express’s (Totem Ocean) Orca Class ro-ro vessels. The unit will then be relocated to Jacksonville, Fla., to serve parent company TOTE’s Marlin Class dual-fuel container vessels and other LNG-powered vessels in the Port of Jacksonville. Designed by Bristol Harbor Group Inc, the barge features a single tank equipped with the Mark III Flex cargo containment system supplied by GTT North America.

02 Oct 2015

MARAD to Fund Study on LNG Conversions

Midnight Sun will be converted to dual fuel LNG propulsion starting in December 2015 (Photo: TOTE)

The U.S. Maritime Administration (MARAD) announced it has entered a $900,000 cooperative agreement with Totem Ocean Trailer Express Inc. (TOTE) to study the costs and benefits of converting vessel to liquefied natural gas (LNG) propulsion. Under the agreement, TOTE who is to convert its containership MV Midnight Sun to operate on dual fuel LNG, will work with MARAD to obtain pre- and post-conversion air emissions data, as well as operational information. According to MARAD, the…

17 Sep 2015

TOTE Shifts Maritime Companies under Unified Brand

Photo: TOTE Maritime

U.S. Jones Act carrier TOTE announced it has shifted operating companies Totem Ocean Trailer Express and Sea Star Line, respectively serving the Alaskan and Puerto Rican/Caribbean markets. Going forward, the companies will be known collectively as TOTE Maritime. 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, while Totem Ocean Trailer Express provides twice weekly service to Alaska and is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year.

26 Aug 2015

Demand Rising for Cyrogenic Valves in Marine Sector

Photo: Bestobell

UK-based manufacturer of cryogenic valves Bestobell Marine said it has seen a major increase in demand for its cryogenic valves from the marine sector in the U.S. This is largely due to the new Emissions Control Areas (ECA) which is increasing the number of dual-fuel vessels being commissioned which require cryogenic valves. One of the first major contracts that Bestobell secured in the marine sector in the U.S. was for the Harvey Gulf International Marine ‘Going Green’ project. Five vessels were designed and built which were the first U.S.

11 Aug 2015

Keppel Shipyard Wins FPSO Conversion Contract

Even as world energy prices continue to maintain low pricing levels, offshore contracts are there to be won. Keppel Offshore & Marine Ltd has secured a Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) conversion contract as well as three repair, upgrade and modification contracts worth a total of about S$125 million. The FPSO conversion project Keppel Shipyard will be undertaking is for Armada Madura EPC Limited, a joint venture between long-standing customer Bumi Armada Berhad (Bumi Armada) and Shapoorji Pallonji Group (Shapoorji Pallonji). "This is our third conversion/upgrading project for the joint venture," said Michael Chia, Managing Director (Marine & Technology), Keppel O&M.

05 Aug 2015

Totem Inks LNG Conversion Deal with Keppel

Totem Ocean Trailer Express announced that it has signed a contract with Keppel Offshore & Marine Ltd, 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.

17 Apr 2015

Solving the LNG Propulsion Puzzle

GTT’s membrane technology is Class certified by all major regulatory agencies and has been in service since 1967, encompassing over 300 LNG ships to date.

The last piece of the LNG infrastructure puzzle, in the form of North America’s first LNG bunker barge, falls into place at Conrad’s Orange, Texas Shipyard. With continued debate over new emissions standards and compliance dates hanging over the heads of operators in the Emission Compliance Zones like the Sword of Damocles, WesPac Midstream LLC, a provider of liquefied natural gas solutions, and its affiliate Clean Marine Energy, a facilitator of solutions for emission compliance…

09 Apr 2015

LNG Barge: Conrad to Build Historic First

The first 2,200cbm LNG Barge for North America will deliver in 2016. Image: GTT

WesPac Midstream LLC (WesPac) and its affiliate Clean Marine Energy LLC (CME), announced a construction contract with Conrad Orange Shipyard, Inc., a division of Conrad Shipyard, LLC, to build the first dedicated LNG bunker barge for the marine market in North America. The first 2,200 cu. m. (cbm) barge is expected to be delivered in early 2016 and planned to initially be deployed in Tacoma, Wash., to service shipowner Totem Ocean Trailer Express’s Orca class RoRo vessels, in addition to other LNG-powered vessels.

25 Feb 2015

GTT Receives Order for LNG Bunker Barge

Image: GTT

Gaztransport & Technigaz (GTT), a designer of membrane containment systems for the maritime transportation and storage of LNG liquefied natural gas (LNG), announced that its U.S. subsidiary GTT North America (GTTNA) has received an order for one LNG bunker barge. This first dedicated LNG barge for the marine market in North America will be built by Conrad Orange Shipyard, Inc., a division of Conrad Shipyard, LLC. at its facility in Orange, Texas. The barge, for WesPac Midstream LLC (WesPac)…

25 Feb 2015

WesPac to Build N. America’s First LNG Bunker Barge

Image: WesPac Midstream

WesPac Midstream LLC (WesPac), a provider of energy infrastructure and liquefied natural gas (LNG) solutions, and its affiliate Clean Marine Energy LLC (CME), the global facilitator of tailored solutions for Emission Control Area (ECA) compliance, announced a construction contract with Conrad Orange Shipyard, Inc., a division of Conrad Shipyard, LLC, to build the first dedicated LNG bunker barge for the marine market in North America. This barge will be a critical supply chain…

23 Dec 2014

Oil Spill Response: USCG, CCG & Foss Team

Barbara Foss and Simushir

Canadian, U.S. Coast Guards and Foss Maritime coordinate a textbook response operation. Robust response trumps the need for later salvage. In the early hours of Friday, October 17, the crew of the Russian cargo ship Simushir attempted to repair a broken oil heater. On its way to Pevek in the Russian Far East, the vessel suddenly lost propulsion and began drifting toward the nearest land, which in this case was the archipeligo Haida Gwaii. Just off the coast of northern British Columbia…

24 Sep 2014

Savvy Fuel Management Fuels TOTE’s Growth

As Tote pioneers the use of natural gas as a marine fuel with two groundbreaking projects, Anthony Chiarello combines the strength and diversity of the Saltchuk group of companies with a forward-thinking, environmentally correct Tote business plan. As TOTE prepares to bring the world’s first natural gas-powered containerships to the maritime industry, the firm will also be the first to convert its existing fleet to run on natural gas. Two Orca Class vessels, operated by Totem Ocean Trailer Express (Totem Ocean) in the Alaska trade, will be converted with minimal time out of service and return as the most environmentally advanced ships in the nation.

15 May 2014

LNG Marine Fuel Taking Hold in America: FMC Commissioner Speaks

In his speech at the LNG Export & Export & Infrastructure Conference Federal Maritime Commissioner Doyle gives insights on the consequences of the adoption of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) as a marine fuel in the United States. I am a Commissioner with the U.S. Federal Maritime Commission. The Federal Maritime Commission is an independent regulatory agency responsible for regulating the nation’s international ocean transportation for the benefit of exporters, importers, and the American consumer. I should emphasize that my thoughts and comments here are mine and mine alone – they do not reflect the position of the Commission, and they should not be construed to represent the positions of any of my fellow Commissioners.

18 Feb 2014

Another Milestone for LNG Powered Ships in the U.S.

John Parrott, President of Totem Ocean Trailer Express and Björn Rosengren, President & CEO of Wärtsilä Corporation.

The U.S. continues to lead the push towards "LNG as Fuel" in the commercial shipping sector, as these 'historic' announcements are now becoming more routine. Totem Ocean Trailer Express (Totem Ocean) announced that Wärtsilä will supply main engines, generators and integrated LNG storage and fuel gas handling systems (LNGPac(TM)) for the largest LNG conversions ever undertaken in North America. In making this decision John Parrott, President of Totem Ocean, cited Wärtsilä's proven technology as a deciding factor in selecting the company.

12 Dec 2013

Sea Star Line, TOTE Leadership Changes

Peter Keller (left) and Tim Nolan

Effective January 1, 2014, Sea Star Line (SSL) President Peter Keller will become Executive Vice President of Sea Star Line’s parent company, TOTE, Inc. In this new capacity he will assist in the oversight of both TOTE Shipholdings and the TOTE Maritime Division, which includes Sea Star Line and Totem Ocean Trailer Express (Totem Ocean). Keller joined TOTE in February of 2012 as President of Sea Star Line and has been leading the conversion of the company’s fleet to Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG).

03 Oct 2013

Saltchuk Deal Enables Foss Maritime Move

Aerial view of site: Photo courtesy of Saltchuk

Saltchuk has signed a Purchase and Sales Agreement with Kimberly-Clark to buy a 66-acre property on the Everett waterfront, formerly home to Kimberly-Clark's pulp mill and tissue plant. The deal will initially bring approximately 250 skilled, family-wage jobs to the Everett waterfront and create a thriving/vital shipbuilding and maritime industry in the heart of Everett. Saltchuk, a second generation Northwest-based, family-owned business, employs 6,500 people nationwide, with 800 in the Puget Sound region.

19 Jul 2013

LNG Fueled Vessels

Dennis L. Bryant,  Maritime Regulatroy  Consulting, Gainsville, Fla.

Alternative to Diesel Strengthens as Barriers Continue to Fall. From the earliest days of mechanically propelled ships, fuel use has been evolving. Starting with wood, fuel changed to coal, which held sway for many years. Oil began to be used in the late nineteenth century and was clearly the dominate marine fuel of the twentieth century. Environmental shortcomings of fuel oil, particularly traditional heavy bunkers, were brought under increasing scrutiny as the twentieth century came to a close.

03 Jun 2013

Carlile Transportation Joins Saltchuk Companies

Carlile Transportation Systems, one of the largest trucking and logistics companies in Alaska, has been acquired by Saltchuk Resources, a Seattle-based family of diversified transportation and petroleum distribution companies. “Our relationship with Saltchuk is 20 years long, already having been friends, vendors and customers," said Harry McDonald, Carlile CEO and cofounder. Carlile will remain a standalone company headquartered in Anchorage. “As with all of the Saltchuk companies, we will reinvest in Carlile’s assets, pursue growth opportunities and build on the very strong foundation the McDonald family has built for the future,” said Mark Tabbutt, of Saltchuk. Carlile’s 700 employees will join Saltchuk’s national team of 5,500 persons.

29 Jan 2013

NASSCO to Design TOTE LNG Propulsion Conversion

TOTE Orca-class: Photo credit NASSCO

General Dynamics NASSCO, contract with Totem Ocean Trailer Express (TOTE) to design the conversion of two Orca-Class  trailerships. The contract is to design the conversion of the company’s two existing Orca Class, diesel-electric trailerships to liquefied natural gas (LNG) propulsion. This design contract is in addition to the new-construction order that TOTE Shipholdings placed with NASSCO last month for the construction of two new LNG-powered containerships. The 839 ft Orca Class ships…

23 Jan 2013

TOTE Goes Gas

Last month U.S. ship owner Tote Inc. shocked the maritime community in ordering the world’s first LNG-powered containerships; in one fell swoop energizing the U.S. shipbuilding sector. On the occasion of this historic contract, top executives from TOTE, NASSCO and MAN spoke to Maritime Reporter & Engineering News to weigh in on the deal’s significance. In recent decades, particularly in the large commercial ship niche, it is fair to say that the U.S. has not been a world force.

10 Aug 2012

Coalition for Responsible Transportation Honors TOTE

The Coalition for Responsible Transportation (CRT) today commended one of its members, Totem Ocean Trailer Express (TOTE), for becoming the first container shipping line to announce that it is converting its ORCA class vessels to use Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) as their primary fuel source. The conversion will advance the use of alternative fuels technology in container shipping and accelerate the use of natural gas as a cleaner domestic energy source. “TOTE’s deployment of LNG ocean vessels is a truly extraordinary accomplishment. CRT’s members have been at the forefront of emission reduction efforts in the supply chain, and have been pioneers in advancing the use of LNG technology in port trucks…

08 Aug 2012

ECA Compliance Waiver Granted to US Shipowner TOTE

TOTE Orca-class: Photo credit Totem Ocean Trailer Express

EPA and USCG facilitate a move by Totem Ocean Trailer Express (TOTE) to convert its vessels to alternative fuels. Totem Ocean Trailer Express (TOTE) has received a permit providing a conditional waiver from the current Emissions Control Area (ECA) fuel sulfur content requirements of MARPOL Annex VI regulation 14.4 while the company pursues conversion of its vessels to alternative fuels. The permit was issued by the United States Coast Guard (USCG) under authority provided in Regulation 3 of Annex VI.

08 Feb 2012

TOTE, Inc.: The New look of American Shipping Group

On January 1, 2012 American Shipping Group underwent a dramatic transformation. The company, formerly known as ASG, became TOTE, Inc., and experienced a makeover in logo, look and structure. Seeing opportunity for market growth, TOTE, Inc. organized its five independently managed businesses in to three groups: Maritime, Logistics and Ship Management. For now, each company will retain their name, logo and independent branding. The strengths of the individual companies will be enhanced by marketing and sales efforts for the overall portfolio by all TOTE, Inc, affiliated companies.

Subscribe for
Maritime Reporter E-News

Maritime Reporter E-News is the maritime industry's largest circulation and most authoritative ENews Service, delivered to your Email five times per week