Americas News
TOTE Signs Long Term Bunker Supply Agreement for LNG Containerships
U.S.-based TOTE, Inc. has moved ahead with plans to supply two containerships with liquid natural gas (LNG) from WesPac Midstream LLC and Pivotal LNG, Inc, having signed a definitive long-term agreement with the latter two companies, Wespac has announced.
Pivotal LNG and WesPac had previously announced last year its plans to build an LNG plant in Florida, along with intentions to supply the two TOTE ships with LNG once construction on the facility was completed.
"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," said Dave Smith, president of WesPac.
"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 says it has now purchased the land for the Florida plant, while the engineering and permitting process is ongoing.
The facility expected to be operational by mid-2016.
TOTE's two Marlin-class dual-fuel ships are set to be delivered late 2015 and early 2016, and will operate routes between Florida and Puerto Rico.
"The new Marlin-class vessels that will enter service in late 2015 are the first LNG powered containerships in the world," said Anthony Chiarello, CEO of TOTE.
"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."
Another venture, Eagle LNG Partners, is also currently planning an LNG plant in Jacksonville, which was expected at the time of the announcement to be operational by 2016 as well.
