World’s first LNG powered containerships to serve Puerto Rico
TOTE, Inc. announced an agreement today between its operating companies TOTE Shipholdings Inc. and Sea Star Line LLC on the charter of the two new Marlin Class vessels being built by TOTE Shipholdings at NASSCO in San Diego, Calif.
The new Marlin Class ships will be the first liquefied natural gas (LNG) powered containerships in the world and will almost double the cargo capacity available to Puerto Rico each week. These will be the first ships with fifty three foot container capacity under deck expanding the services that Sea Star Line is able to offer its customers. The ships will also allow Sea Star Line more cargo flexibility to meet the ever changing needs of Puerto Rico.
The Marlin Class vessels lead the way in environmental responsibility. ”Improved technology and the use of LNG result in tremendous emissions reductions,” noted Ben Christian, Project Manager at TOTE Shipholdings. “The new Marlin Class will reduce particulate matter by 98 percent, sulfur oxide emissions by 97 percent, carbon dioxide emissions by 72 percent and nitrous oxide emissions by 60 percent.”
Tim Nolan, President of Sea Star Line went on to add, “These ships will set new standards for safety and reliability in addition to their environmental benefits. We are proud to be the first company to operate LNG-powered containerships which will ensure a cleaner and safer environment for the people of Jacksonville and Puerto Rico as well as our employees.”
The first of the two ships, Hull 495, will enter the Puerto Rico trade in the fourth quarter of 2015 and the second ship, Hull 496, will enter the trade in the first quarter of 2016.
