sept-2017

294 295 of three 320’-long steel bridge sections, each weighing about 700 tons, along with two 100-ton beams to New Jersey. The components are part of the newWittpenn Bridge across New Jersey’s Hackensack River. They were manufactured by Vigor Works, loaded onto Foss’s barge, The Amer- ican Trader on the Columbia River, then towed by the Lauren Foss south down the coast, and through the Panama Canal before heading back north to the U.S. East Coast. In addition to ship assist/escort services for ships calling on ports, Foss provides a vital link within the oil and gas industry - transporting bun- kers, refined products, and raw materials between supplier, seller, and buyer. They are currently com- pleting an LNG bunkering barge that will surpass all others in the U.S. The barge will re-liquefy the fuel, as well as transport it. The company credits its success, in part, to long-term relationships with vendors that are the best in their field– including Schuler Fend- ers, CAT, Rolls Royce, G.E., Nautican, and Markey Winches. By putting energy and resources into improving the supply chain, Foss can offer cus- tomers the highest quality safety standards and reliability available. In addition, strategic partnerships leverage what everyone does best. Foss has formed part- nerships with sister companies like TOTE, with local and native organizations, and groups like FOSS MARITIME COMPANY HillCorp–an exploration and energy production company, and HDR Alaska that, through an alli- ance, provides engineering, infrastructure devel- opment, and consulting services to the Alaskan resource development industry. Furthering green technologies, and pushing towards having the highest safety standards in the industry, with a commitment to zero incidents, take top priority. Operating in strict compliance with federal, state, and local laws and regula- tions, the company provides ongoing programs to employees addressing education, training, and communication of safety procedures and environ- mental policies. Innovation is highlighted in the new Foss Arctic Class tugs, which incorporate environmentally focused designs and structural and technological upgrades, including elimination of ballast tanks (no chance of transporting invasive species); holding tanks for black and gray water to per- mit operations in no-discharge zones; hydraulic oil systems compatible with biodegradable oil; energy efficient LED lighting; environmentally responsible Caterpillar C280-8 main engines; and high-energy absorption Schuyler fendering. Beyond continuous investment in its fleet of world-class vessels, Foss recently opened a new consolidated Fleet Monitoring Center in Oregon. The facility was modernized to incorporate the best available customer service technologies, including a state-of-the-art telephony system, heightened cyber security, and enhanced dis- patching and vessel tracking capabilities. Parrott notes, “Historically and market-share-