McAllister to manage LNG bunkering ATB
Written by Nick Blenkey
Barge will be a sister vessel to soon-to-deliver Clean Canaveral (Image copyright: VARD Marine)
McAllister Towing LNG Services LLC is to be technical manager for the Polaris New Energy LNG bunkering operation in Florida. It will operate the articulated tug barge (ATB) Polaris/Clean Canaveral for Polaris New Energy. The Polaris is a 4,000-horsepower tug fitted with a JAK-400 coupling system that is being built at Master Boat Builders, Inc. It will be paired with the 5,500-cubic-meter LNG bunkering barge Clean Canaveral, which is being built at Fincanteri Bay Shipbuilding.
Polaris New Energy has constructed the ATB for coastwise transportation of LNG and to deliver LNG as a clean maritime transportation fuel.
Capt. Steven Kress, vice president of operations for McAllister believes that this endeavor further demonstrates McAllister’s commitment to safeguard the environment by expanding upon its LNG experience in Cove Point, Md,, and Jacksonville, Fla.
“We are honored that Polaris New Energy has recognized McAllister’s reputation for quality and safety, through our robust QSM system,” he said. “We look forward to operating this brand-new ATB, safely and efficiently servicing Polaris’s customers.”
Marino Hwang has been named General Manager of McAllister Towing LNG Services. Hwang, marine compliance manager for McAllister Towing, has more than 20 years of experience in marine transportation and has held various leadership roles at K-Sea Transportation and Kirby Offshore Marine before joining McAllister.
Hwang said: “It is a tremendous privilege to partner with Polaris New Energy and its affiliated companies to manage and operate the Polaris/Clean Canaveral. LNG is a clean fuel alternative and its use as a marine fuel is expanding. McAllister is equipped and ready to be a part of this emerging industry.”
Tom Sullivan, chief operating officer for Seaside LNG Holdings, the parent company of Polaris New Energy, said: “We are excited to work with McAllister Towing because, as one of the oldest marine transportation companies in the US, they bring a tradition for providing unsurpassed operational excellence. We look to strengthen our strategic partnership with McAllister as we continue to develop our position in the market by adding additional ATBs to our fleet and expanding to all coasts of the United States.”
Polaris New Energy is the marine bunkering subsidiary of Seaside LNG Holdings, a subsidiary of Northstar HoldCo Energy focused on the production and delivery of LNG as a clean transportation fuel.
