TOTE plans new U.S. mainland-Hawaii service

Jacksonville, Fla.-based ocean carrier TOTE Inc. says the launch of the proposed new loop is dependent primarily on acquiring two things: newbuild vessels for the trade and a Hawaii marine terminal from which to operate.    Jacksonville, Fla.-based TOTE Inc. intends to establish a new domestic shipping service from the Mainland U.S. to Hawaii, the company confirmed Aug. 17, after weeks of rumors and speculation.
   The Hawaii-Mainland trade route is currently serviced by two carriers, Pasha Group and Matson Navigation.
   TOTE said the service’s launch is dependent primarily on acquiring two things: newbuild vessels for the trade and a Hawaii marine terminal from which to operate.
   To those ends, TOTE said it’s currently working with Philly Shipyard to custom build four new containerships. Philly Shipyard first revealed last month that it had signed a letter of intent to build the vessels, but at the time declined to name the client.
   Philly Shipyard announced in June that it has already begun construction of the vessels, which are the continuation of the series of two similar 850-foot, 3,600-TEU “Aloha Class” containerships currently under construction at the shipyard for Matson Navigation’s Hawaii trade-lane.
   TOTE also said the company is conversations to secure the new deepwater Kapalama Container Terminal berthing and container handling facility in Honolulu, which it says would be “a critical step” in making the new service a reality.
   The Kapalama Container Terminal, located on the site of a former military reservation, is designed to consist of a new container facility as well as berthing capacity for two container ships, according to the Hawaii Dept. of Transportation. It’s the centerpiece of a $500-plus million Hawaii harbor modernization plan.
   TOTE has admitted that construction of the new ships a commitment for terminal space in Honolulu are critical for the new venture to move forward, but said that it believes the vessels will be in service by early 2020 and 2021.
   The company, which is based in New Jersey and is a subsidiary of Seattle-based conglomerate Saltchuk, already has quite a bit of experience serving outlying U.S. areas and territories. For over 40 years, it and its operating companies have serviced both Alaska and Puerto Rico. Company President and CEO Anthony Chiarello said TOTE’s presence on the Hawaiian islands would provide market stability.
   “TOTE’s commitment is to provide superior service for our customers as well as the communities we serve, ensuring that goods arrive on time week in and week out,” he said in a statement. “TOTE will bring the same commitment to our Hawaii operations to ensure maritime transportation is industry leading.”