TOTE Finds Fuel Suppliers for First LNG Container Ships

TOTE, Inc. has signed a long-term agreement with Pivotal LNG and WesPac Midstream to provide liquefied natural gas (LNG) to fuel TOTE’s two new container ships currently being built by NASSCO.

TOTE’s new dual-fuel ‘Marlin-class’ containerships, the first in the world, are expected to be delivered to Jacksonville in late 2015 and early 2016 and will operate between Jacksonville and Puerto Rico. Both ships, powered by dual-fuel LNG engines, surpass the requirements of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s clean air regulations.

Anthony Chiarello, president and CEO of TOTE, said: ”It’s an exciting time for TOTE, WesPac, Pivotal LNG and the Puerto Rico trade. The new Marlin class vessels that will enter service in late 2015 are the first LNG powered containerships in the world. This significant investment in the trade, the environment and in Jones Act vessels will create a long-lasting, positive impact in Jacksonville and Puerto Rico.”

Pivotal LNG and WesPac are addressing the growing demand for LNG in the southeast of the US by constructing a new natural gas liquefaction facility in Jacksonville, Florida.

The land has been purchased, the engineering and permitting process is advancing, and the new Jacksonville LNG facility is expected to be operational in mid-2016. The Jacksonville site provides the capability to add additional natural gas liquefaction and LNG storage capacity in the future in order to supply other customers in Jacksonville and regional markets.

Dave Smith, President of WesPac, said: ”With this landmark agreement, WesPac has secured property in Jacksonville for the construction of the first LNG liquefaction facility supplying marine fuel in North America. Together with our partners Pivotal LNG and TOTE, we’ve effectively established LNG as the fuel of the future for marine vessels in the US. We look forward to the completion of the project and expanding the facility going forward as more markets transition to clean LNG fuel.”