By Mark Edward Nero
TOTE Inc. has signed a long-term agreement with fuel
companies Pivotal LNG and WesPac Midstream LLC to supply liquefied natural gas
to fuel TOTE’s two new state-of-the-art containerships.
Pivotal LNG and WesPac are constructing a new natural gas
liquefaction facility in Jacksonville, Florida. The new Jacksonville LNG
facility is expected to be operational in mid-2016 and, according to TOTE, 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.
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 are to operate between Jacksonville and Puerto Rico.
Operating these new LNG-powered containerships will result
in significant emissions reductions, making them among the most environmentally
friendly ships in the world. Both vessels, powered by dual-fuel LNG engines,
greatly surpass the requirements of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s
clean air regulations.
“Together with our partners Pivotal LNG and TOTE, we’ve
effectively established LNG as the fuel of the future for marine vessels in the
U.S.,” WesPac President Dave Smith said. “We look forward to the completion of
the project and expanding the facility going forward as more markets transition
to clean LNG fuel.”
