TOTE’s North Star completes first trip after LNG conversion

TOTE Maritime Alaska’s North Star arrived in Anchorage, following her first voyage after being outfitted with two LNG tanks, completing the first of four conversions periods of the Orca class vessels.

The two LNG tanks have been positioned immediately behind the ship’s bridge, TOTE said in a statement.

In addition to the LNG tanks and accompanying infrastructure, the ship received critical engine updates necessary to utilize LNG as a fuel and underwent a standard regulatory dry-dock.

This conversion will drastically reduce air emissions from TOTE Maritime’s Alaska ships, virtually eliminating sulfur oxides (SOx) and particulate matter while drastically reducing nitrogen oxides (NOx) and carbon dioxide, the company said.

Over the next four years, three more conversion periods will be required to finalize the transition of TOTE Maritime Alaska’s vessels to LNG.

Each of these conversion periods will take place in the winter to minimize the impact to customers and consumers alike. The conversion of both ships is scheduled to be complete in Q1 of 2021.