Investing in a Cleaner Future
For more than 20 years, TOTE Group and its operating companies have been committed to care for the environment. Through innovative initiatives and strategic investments in state of the art technology, we strive to support the environment and communities we serve and make an impactful difference for a cleaner tomorrow.
TOTE Group’s maritime, terminal and services companies have invested millions of dollars throughout our operations to minimize our collective impact on the environment including the air we breathe and the waters we sail.
Equipment Improvements
Since 2011, TOTE Maritime Alaska has invested more than $28 million improving the fuel efficiency and reducing emissions of its shoreside fleet. This includes new hustlers, gensets, reefers and reefer trailers all used to transport goods to and from Alaska and Puerto Rico.
In 2019 TOTE Maritime Puerto Rico updated its fleet to NaturaLINE® containers and the CoolConnect tracking system. The Carrier’s(R) NaturaLINE(R) unit, uses natural refrigerant CO2, which can reduce carbon dioxide emissions compared to units using synthetic refrigerant, limiting its impact on the environment. TOTE Maritime Puerto Rico is the first carrier in the Puerto Rico trade to utilize NaturaLINE, PrimeLINE and Daikin containers in their reefer fleet.
Cold Ironing Shore Power
In 2010, TOTE Maritime Alaska completed a $2.7 million shore power project – also known as cold ironing in the maritime industry – to supply electricity to dockside vessels and reduce reliance upon shipboard generators. As a result, diesel and greenhouse gas emissions have been reduced by 2,600 tons annually – the equivalent of removing more than 600 cars from the road each year. TOTE Maritime Alaska invested $1.2 million and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency provided an additional $1.5 million. The project was part of the Northwest Ports Clean Air Strategy and created 50 family wage jobs during construction.
Emission Control
The International Maritime Organization designated the coastlines of North America as an Emission Control Area in 2010, imposing new emissions standards on the shipping industry. Rather than doing the bare minimum to meet the new standards, TOTE Group subsidiaries saw this as an opportunity to be the first movers in the industry by investing in liquefied natural gas (LNG) engine technology for its fleet.