Features
A New Energy Equation
Jones Act carriers find ways to be fuel efficient
By Tony Seideman
Exploding energy costs are causing Jones Act carriers to reevaluate everything from the ships they own to how they’re operated, as they implement or dramatically accelerate programs that are designed to radically increase fuel efficiency at the same time that they continue to reduce shipping times.
Making changes
Dealing with energy has been important to carriers for years, but it’s now become a top priority as companies do everything from scheduling the purchase of advanced high-efficiency new equipment to creating partnerships with ports and other facilities to develop new tools and approaches.
“The entire shipping transportation market is going to be turned upside down and shaken until the most logistically sensible thing from a fuel-efficiency standpoint is done,” says Dale Sause, president and owner of Sause Bros. Ocean Towing Co., based in Coos Bay, Ore.
Finding efficiencies
Fuel costs are rising so radically they’re putting the entire industry into unknown territory, Sause says. What he does know is that his company has dramatically increased the efficiency of its equipment over the last few years, and that it will now intensify efforts to do so. “We’re three times more fuel efficient today than we were 30 years ago,” he says.
Sause has purchased eight barges in the last five years, and all have been high-efficiency vessels. The company is also working with the Port of Los Angeles to develop new high-efficiency systems.
Dealing with equipment life spans
Yet the life span of much maritime equipment may mean that less efficient machinery stays around for a long time to come.
Jones Act Carrier Matson Lines last purchased a vessel in 2006, and no significant outlays are in the pipeline at this time, officials say.
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