Maritime Industry Again Recognizes Foss Environmental Commitment

Company gets top prize for environmental management plan; hybrid tug named ‘significant boat’ of 2009 at International WorkBoat Show

SEATTLE, December 11, 2009—Marine industry observers have once again singled out Foss Maritime for its cutting edge environmental commitment, honoring the company for its strategic “zero trace” environmental management plan and the successful launch of the world’s first hybrid tug.

Foss officials received three awards at the annual International WorkBoat Show this month in New Orleans, including:

  • First place in the prestigious “Comprehensive Environmental Management Plan” category, which WorkBoat officials awarded for the first time this year. The award recognizes companies that voluntarily institute comprehensive, strategic environmental management plans that go further than existing state and federal regulations.
  • Second place in the “Environmental Initiative” category, which went to Foss’ Green Assist™ Hybrid Tug. The hybrid tug is now working out of San Pedro Bay in the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach. California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger recently cited the hybrid during a ceremony with Lisa Jackson, administrator of the federal Environmental Protection Agency.
  • Recognition of the hybrid tug as one of WorkBoat’s “10 Significant Boats of 2009”.

Gary Faber, Foss president and COO, said the company is grateful for the broader maritime industry’s recognition of its innovative approach to the environment: “We are honored that our industry peers have chosen to focus on Foss. The environment is a core value at Foss and we want to take a comprehensive, strategic approach to protecting it. It&rsquos what our customers expect; it’s also what we as individuals expect.”

In winning the “Comprehensive Environmental Management Program” award, Foss was recognized for its “Zero Trace” corporate goal and its comprehensive ISO 14001 environmental management program which includes its entire fleet and office buildings. Foss will seek ABS certification for this program during the first quarter of 2010. The program emphasizes continuous improvement and innovation as the blueprint to achieve the zero trace goal. The ISO 14001 program goes beyond federal, state and local regulations, moving from compliance to proactive prevention of environmental impacts on air, land and water. Foss has been recognized for its environmental stewardship before, receiving the USCG Admiral William M. Benkert Marine Environmental protection Award Gold Level in 2008.

Foss’ “Environmental Initiative” award is for building and operating the world’s first hybrid harbor tug. The vessel, named the Carolyn Dorothy, was also named one of the “10 Significant Boats of 2009”. The hybrid was built using a groundbreaking cost effective technology designed specifically for the maritime industry.

The hybrid system combines smaller diesel main engines with auxiliary engines/generators, motor generators, and batteries to power the vessel. The boat has the flexibility to operate in multiple configurations and delivers 5,080 horsepower and over 60 tons of bollard pull.

This technology reduces all forms of pollution because it reduces fuel consumption and allows more efficient combustion.

This tug is also the first in North America to receive Lloyd’s Register Green Passport certification. Foss was previously awarded the EPA’s Clean Air Excellence Award for Clean Air technology for the hybrid tug.