TOTE’s Isla Bella is the world’s first LNG-powered container ship and was put into service by TOTE Maritime Puerto Rico in 2015. In September it marked another milestone for renewable fuels in maritime by becoming the first marine vessel in the United States to be fueled with a blend of liquefied natural gas (LNG) and renewable liquefied natural gas (RLNG). JAX LNG loaded the RLNG/LNG blend into the Clean Jacksonville bunker barge to fuel the Isla Bella.
Decarbonization of the transport sector has greatly accelerated through the use of regulatory incentives such as the alternative fuel tax credit, which encourages companies to adjust operations and make investments in assets that reduce carbon intensity. Produced from the decomposition of organic waste, RNG is compatible with existing natural gas infrastructure, providing a practical and replicable source of energy that mitigates and repurposes carbon emissions.
“We’re proud to partner with JAX LNG, which has continued to solidify its position as the industry leader in the clean fuel revolution,” said Mike Noone, President of TOTE Maritime Puerto Rico. “RNG is a clean, drop-in fuel source that can be readily deployed for use today, since it needs no new equipment to capture or transport it.”
For this bunkering event, RTCs were matched to the physical LNG loaded into the Clean Jacksonville to create the RLNG/LNG blended product. JAX LNG is the long-term supplier to the two LNG-fueled container vessels—the Isla Bella and the Perla del Caribe—that TOTE Maritime Puerto Rico utilizes to reliably transport goods between Jacksonville and Puerto Rico.
https://mailchi.mp/174c6ccecedf/oct2021
Estudios Técnicos Inc., a leading economic advisory firm in Puerto Rico, analyzed maritime cargo freight rates to the island throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and found a dramatic increase in international maritime freight rates.
"Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, international maritime freight rates have risen considerably, in particular for trade from China and East Asia. Today, container shipping costs are at an all-time high. Increases in maritime freight rates do have an impact in Puerto Rico, as most of its imports of goods come via container ships, as they have on global consumer prices. However, Puerto Rico has been, to a large extent, protected from the recent increases in international shipping rates. Most of our imports come from the U.S. and arrive in Puerto Rico in ships that operate under the Jones Act. These have experienced minimal if any increases in the last year and a half," according to the analysis.
TOTE Maritime Puerto Rico (“TOTE”), a premier carrier in the domestic maritime industry, was once again named one of “Best Places to Work” on the First Coast by the Jacksonville Business Journal. This is the second year in a row that TOTE has received this recognition.
“TOTE greatly values our employees and we’re honored to have again been recognized as one of the best places to work in northeast Florida,” said TOTE Maritime Puerto Rico President Mike Noone. “Thanks to the dedication of our talented, experienced and diverse team, TOTE’s committed to providing reliable, value-added service for our customers, while contributing positively to the communities in which we live and work.”
TOTE’s dedicated, twice-weekly service from Jacksonville, Fla. to San Juan, Puerto Rico, provides essential goods and cargo on which consumers rely to support their quality of life and most basic needs. Leveraging the world’s first liquefied natural gas (LNG) fueled containerships – the cleanest and most advanced in the market today – and other innovative capabilities, TOTE is a maritime leader in safety, service and sustainability.
“TOTE’s mission is personal, and we take care of our people. We’re committed to a culture that develops and rewards those who do good work. Driven by a focus on our core principles of safety, the customer experience, operational excellence and our colleagues, TOTE truly is a phenomenal place to be a part of,” concluded Noone.
The Jacksonville Business Journal conducts an annual survey of employees at companies throughout the northeast Florida region to determine which should be recognized as a “Best Place to Work” based on morale, engagement and tenure. This is the fifth year that Jacksonville Business Journal has conducted the survey and the second time that TOTE has been recognized.
The annual Dreams Come True Children's Charity 5k proved to be a success yet again. The 250+ TOTE team of participants from Alaska to Puerto Rico had a great time joining in support for this wonderful cause.
Dreams Come True currently has over 600 local children currently dreaming and TOTE’s support will help in ensuring that no eligible child is denied a dream due to financial shortfalls.
https://www.dreamscometrue.org/
Congratulations to Jesse Carlstrom, Chris Rye, Tim Diaz, Kate McKenzie, Ben Christian and Peter Santiago!
September 30 – October 3, 2021 • Sunday River, Maine
Each working day, mariners push themselves in a race against time and nature to deliver the world’s commerce.
Taking place on land and water, the SCI Mountain Challenge parallels many of the hardships mariners face on a daily basis: the elements (facing northern New England’s notoriously unpredictable weather), isolation (teams of three work self-sufficiently on the mountain and water race courses) and physically demanding work (participants ascend approximately 3,000 feet each day).
In addition to the outdoor elements, competitors participate in the “Philanthropy Challenge” to raise funds and awareness for the Seamen’s Church Institute (SCI) and its mariner support services.
Find out more here:https://scimountainchallenge.com/
TOTE Maritime Puerto Rico had the joy of hosting The Harbert College of Business class from Auburn University.
Our own Peter Santiago, Ivan Burgos and Eduardo Pagan demonstrated our dedication of youth development. These students learned about the commercial maritime industry in which TOTE serves.