Seaside LNG has acquired the liquefied natural gas fueling barge Clean Jacksonville from TOTE Maritime Puerto Rico LLC, a subsidiary of TOTE Group LLC.
Conrad Industries Inc. delivered the 232'x48'8"x15'8" Clean Jacksonville, the first LNG bunker barge built in North America, back in 2018. The Clean Jacksonville was built in Orange, Texas, at Conrad Orange Shipyard.
Seaside LNG’s maritime transportation company, Polaris New Energy, has contracted to continue fueling TOTE’s Marlin Class LNG-powered containerships and other commercial customers with its fleet of LNG bunker barges. The Clean Jacksonville recently reached a significant milestone having successfully completed its 300th bunkering at the Port of Jacksonville, Fla.
Seaside now has the largest fleet of LNG barges operating in the U.S.
“Seaside continues to expand its ability to bring environmentally friendly LNG to the shipping industry with our partnership in JAX LNG and our investments in growing the LNG barge fleet,” Tim Casey, CEO of Seaside LNG, said in a statement. “Use of LNG as a maritime fuel delivers substantial environmental and public health benefits by dramatically lowering emissions of NOx, SOx, CO2 and particulate matter. By purchasing the Clean Jacksonville, our team gains not only a new customer and valuable operating partner, but also the opportunity to expand our fleet operations geographically.”
In addition, Polaris entered a long-term contract with TOTE Services, LLC, a separate subsidiary of TOTE Group, to continue serving as the technical manager of the Clean Jacksonville. The bunker barge complements the bunkering services of Polaris’ 5,500 m3 Clean Canaveral, built at Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding, that operates along the coast of the southeastern U.S. and is the largest bunker barge in the Jones Act market. Polaris also has a second 5,500 m3 barge, the Clean Everglades, under construction which is scheduled for delivery by end of 2023.
“TOTE Services’ experience in bringing LNG to the maritime sector is the most extensive in the industry. By working across every aspect, from vessel construction to ship management and technical expertise, we help our customers achieve their business and environmental objectives,” said Jeff Dixon, president of TOTE Services. “We look forward to continuing to operate the Clean Jacksonville safely and reliably for years to come.”
The LNG for Polaris’ vessels is loaded at the Jacksonville dock of JAX LNG, an LNG production facility and joint venture between Seaside LNG and Pivotal LNG.
