Americas News
TOTE CEO Honored for LNG Ship Program
Anthony Chiarello, president and CEO of TOTE Inc., was honored by the U.S. government as a "champion of change" for the company's embrace of liquefied natural gas (LNG) bunkers, the company said in a statement.
Chiarello was one of 11 transportation industry leaders to receive the award, and the only maritime industry recipient.
"As a Jones Act domestic carrier, we're uniquely positioned to create real change in the supply conundrum – availability of fuel is a big hurdle for most transportation sectors to change over to clean-burning natural gas," Chiarello wrote.
"Our regular service routes create enough of a steady demand to entice fuel partners to build liquefaction plants in our ports of call, thus making LNG supply available to others in those markets.
"Supply in Jacksonville, Florida and Tacoma, Washington will serve the Southeast and Pacific Northwest with natural gas that can be used for ships, trucks, and rail."
The Champions of Change government website noted that reduced emissions from the switch to LNG fuel will have health benefits for people in nearby communities.
"Natural gas powered ships will achieve emissions reductions far below even the world's most stringent regulatory standards," it said.
"As the adoption of natural gas fuel spreads, air emissions will be lowered along the coastline as part of the North American Emissions Control Area, and additional environmental benefits will accrue in ports, on roads, and rail."
Twenty-two shipping lines also received honours for working to reduce emissions at the Port of Long Beach's Environmental Achievement Awards, according to the port website.
The companies were recognised for participation in the port's Green Flag Program, which encourages vessels to slow down within 40 miles of the port, and in the Green Ship Program, which calls for operators to assign their lowest-emission ships to routes including Long Beach.
Seven operators were given Environmental Achievement awards for participating in both programs: Hanjin Shipping Co. Ltd., Matson Navigation, "K" Line, Mitsui OSK, Mediterranean Shipping Co., Orient Overseas Container Line and Wallenius Wilhelmsen.
