TOTE Inc. has signed an important partnership agreement for the coming LNG fueld newbuildings, which will serve the US-Puerto[ds_preview] Rico trade.
Pivotal LNG, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of AGL Resources Inc. and WesPac Midstream LLC have signed a long-term agreement with TOTE to provide liquefied natural gas (LNG) to fuel TOTE’s two new containerships. The partners are addressing the growing demand for LNG in the southeast by constructing a new natural gas liquefaction facility in Jacksonville. The land has been purchased, the engineering and permitting process is advancing, and the new Jacksonville LNG facility is expected to be operational in mid-2016. It 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 stated.
»The combination of this new LNG facility in Jacksonville and our existing portfolio of LNG assets positions us well to serve the fueling needs of our current and future customers in the southeast, Puerto Rico, the US Virgin Islands and potentially the broader Caribbean market.«, said Steve Cittadine, president of Pivotal LNG.
Dave Smith, president of WesPac commented, »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. TOTE’s new dual-fuel »Marlin-class« containerships are expected to be delivered to Jacksonville in late 2015 and early 2016 and will operate between Jacksonville and Puerto Rico. They surpass the requirements of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s clean air regulations and are equipped with a 8L70ME-C8.2GI of MAN Diesel & Turbo.
»Ports and regions that embrace the LNG opportunities before us stand to gain the most in terms of jobs, economic growth and business connectivity with communities around the world,« said Brian Taylor, CEO of the Jacksonville Port Authority. The newbuildings will be operated by TOTE’s subsidiary Sea Star Line and will, according to the company, almost double the shipping capacity available to Puerto Rico each week.
