Totem Ocean Trailer Express

What Totem Ocean Trailer Express does

TOTE Maritime is a Jones Act-compliant U.S. domestic ocean carrier founded in 1975 and wholly owned by Saltchuk, a privately held transportation conglomerate. The company operates two core trade lanes: TOTE Maritime Alaska (Tacoma-Anchorage) with LNG-converted ORCA-Class ice-classed vessels, and TOTE Maritime Puerto Rico (Jacksonville-San Juan) with LNG-powered Marlin-Class ships, supported by dedicated marine terminals in Tacoma, Jacksonville (Blount Island), San Juan (Puerto Nuevo) and St. Thomas. It serves retailers, food distributors, the U.S. military (household goods and sustainment), and Alaska's oil & gas and mining industries, with scheduled twice-weekly sailings and a reported 3-day Jacksonville-San Juan transit time that anchors shipper replenishment cycles.

The product stack spans dry cargo, refrigerated (reefer) cargo — including 220 Carrier Transicold NaturaLINE CO2-based refrigeration units with the lowest global-warming-potential in U.S. container trade and 24/7 CoolConnect real-time telemetry — flatbed/oversized cargo, and personal/recreational vehicle transport. Digital eSolutions layer on top: a web-based customer portal, a mobile app, GPS tracking on both reefer and dry containers, EDI Direct for system-to-system integration, and "Smart Shipping" cold-chain controls. Revenue is generated through quote-based freight pricing (transaction fees), equipment leasing of containers and chassis, and accessorial terminal/port charges such as the Total Accessorial Charge (TAC), with surcharges for bunker fuel, intermodal fuel and peak season.

The go-to-market is B2B and sales-led: enterprise field sales teams (led by named Presidents for Alaska and Puerto Rico, a VP of Sales, a VP of Pricing, and a Group-level Chief Commercial Officer) manage named-account relationships, supported by direct EDI integration for large customers and inside-sales/quote-request handling for mid-market. Distribution is direct via TOTE-owned vessels and terminals, augmented by a strategic August 2024 intermodal partnership with STG Logistics that adds inland rail collection from any U.S. or Canada origin into TOTE's ocean lane. Marketing emphasizes environmental leadership (LNG fleet, CO2 refrigeration), reliability (Quest for Quality Ocean Carrier awards 2018, 2023, 2024, 2025), and deep community investment in Puerto Rico and Alaska.

Name

Totem Ocean Trailer Express

Legal name

TOTE, LLC

Website

https://totemaritime.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1975

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

TOTE Maritime is a Jones Act-compliant U.S. domestic ocean carrier operating LNG-powered container services between Tacoma-Anchorage and Jacksonville-San Juan, plus the U.S. Virgin Islands, serving retailers, food distributors, the U.S. military, and Alaska's oil, gas, and mining industries as a subsidiary of Saltchuk.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Ocean Freight Shipping / Maritime Logistics

NAICS

Deep Sea, Coastal, and Great Lakes Water Transportation (48311)

SIC

Water Transportation (4400)

akta.pro primary industry

Bulk Dry Cargo Carriers (Capesize/Panamax/Supramax/Handysize) (TLADABAC)

akta.pro secondary industry

Marine Terminals & Cargo Handling Infrastructure (RoRo, Bulk, Container) (IMAFAJAF)

Keywords

• Ocean freight shipping
• Domestic maritime transportation
• Refrigerated cargo shipping
• LNG-powered shipping
• Jones Act carrier

Headquarters

HQ city

Federal Way

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Infrastructure, Personnel, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Ocean Freight Transportation: Domestic ocean freight shipping services between U.S. mainland and Alaska/Puerto Rico. Revenue is generated through containerized cargo transportation including dry cargo, refrigerated cargo, flatbed/oversized freight, and personal vehicles. Pricing is quote-based with surcharges for fuel (bunker fuel charge), intermodal fuel, and peak season.
2. Terminal and Port Services: Accessorial charges including Total Accessorial Charge (TAC) for security and terminal handling, covering equipment, operations, and terminal functions.
3. Equipment Leasing: Provision of containers and chassis for customer use, including specialized refrigerated containers (reefers) with NaturaLINE technology.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

TOTE Maritime is a domestic Jones Act ocean carrier providing containerized freight transportation between the U.S. mainland and remote U.S. territories—operating TOTE Maritime Alaska (Tacoma to Anchorage) and TOTE Maritime Puerto Rico (Jacksonville to San Juan, plus U.S. Virgin Islands). The company transports dry cargo, refrigerated cargo (reefers with CoolConnect 24/7 monitoring), flatbed/oversized freight, and personal/recreational vehicles using LNG-powered Marlin and Orca Class vessels. Complementary services include military household goods shipping, equipment leasing (reefer containers, chassis), and digital tools (Customer Portal, Mobile App, EDI integration, Smart Shipping cold chain control).

Product overview

Totem Ocean Trailer Express (TOTE) operates as a maritime logistics company with two primary sub-brands: TOTE Maritime Alaska (serving routes between Tacoma and Anchorage) and TOTE Maritime Puerto Rico (serving routes between Jacksonville and San Juan). The core offering consists of ocean freight transportation across multiple cargo categories: dry cargo, refrigerated cargo (featuring CoolConnect monitoring and NaturaLINE CO2-based refrigeration), flatbed/oversized cargo, and personal vehicles. TOTE complements its shipping services with a suite of digital tools including a Customer Web Portal for booking and tracking, a Mobile App for real-time cargo location, EDI Direct for system-to-system integration, and Smart Shipping technology for cold chain control. The company operates LNG-powered vessels (Marlin Class for Puerto Rico, ORCA-Class for Alaska) and has partnered with STG Logistics for intermodal rail-focused shipping solutions. TOTE is a subsidiary of the Saltchuk family of companies.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• TOTE Maritime Alaska: Domestic ocean carrier operations serving Alaska routes from Seattle/Tacoma to Anchorage
• TOTE Maritime Puerto Rico
• CoolConnect
• eSolutions

Products and services

• TOTE Maritime Alaska Ocean Freight Service Scheduled domestic ocean carrier service routing containerized cargo between Tacoma, WA and Anchorage, AK (and beyond) for enterprise shippers, government, and Alaska communities. Operates twice-weekly sailings using LNG-converted ORCA-Class ice-classed vessels and supports dry, refrigerated, flatbed, vehicle, and military household goods cargo.
• TOTE Maritime Puerto Rico Ocean Freight Service Scheduled domestic ocean carrier service routing containerized cargo between Jacksonville, FL and San Juan, Puerto Rico (with extensions to the U.S. Virgin Islands and intermodal reach via STG Logistics) for enterprise shippers, government, and Caribbean communities. Operates twice-weekly sailings with reliable 3-day transit time using LNG-powered Marlin-class vessels.
• Dry Cargo Shipping Containerized transportation of dry cargo including general merchandise, manufactured goods, retail items, and packaged consumer products to Alaska and Puerto Rico with reliable on-time delivery.
• Refrigerated Cargo Shipping (Reefer) Temperature-controlled shipping for refrigerated cargo including frozen foods, fresh produce, dairy, and pharmaceuticals, featuring CoolConnect 24/7 real-time monitoring of reefer containers whether on road, dock, or aboard vessels.
• Flatbed & Oversized Cargo Shipping Specialized transportation for oversized cargo, machinery, construction materials, and equipment requiring flatbed handling or non-containerizable freight handling capabilities.
• Personal & Recreational Vehicle Shipping Shipping service for personal and recreational vehicles with careful handling, serving military families, relocating individuals, and consumer vehicle transport to Alaska, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
• TOTE Customer Portal (Shipment Management Tool) Web-based shipping management tool allowing customers to book shipments, view reports, check equipment status, track cargo, and manage documentation 24/7 across Alaska and Puerto Rico services.
• TOTE Mobile App Mobile application providing real-time access to cargo location, allowing customers to release shipments and receive automatic notifications on smartphones. Available on iOS App Store and Google Play.
• CoolConnect Reefer Monitoring Service 24/7 real-time monitoring service for refrigerated containers using wireless devices that provide temperature and critical data for managing time-sensitive cargo with maximum precision across road, dock, and vessel transit.
• Intermodal Rail-to-Puerto Rico Service (STG Logistics Partnership) Intermodal shipping solution combining STG Logistics' inland rail network (15,000+ equipment, ramp access, and rail relationships) with TOTE's reliable 3-day Jacksonville-San Juan ocean transit, reducing transit times by 1-7 days depending on origin city.
• Military Household Goods Shipping Specialized U.S. military household goods transportation services to Puerto Rico (with published annual rates) and Alaska, supporting permanent change of station (PCS) moves and government logistics contracts.
• Equipment Leasing (Reefers & Chassis) Provision of refrigerated containers and chassis for customer use, including 220 NaturaLINE refrigerated containers leased via SeaCube Containers LLC for reefer shipper operations.

Quantifiable outcome

• 3-day transit time between Jacksonville and San Juan
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• STG LogisticscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 28 August 2024Strategic partnership to deliver the fastest rail-focused shipping solution to Puerto Rico from anywhere in the United States and Canada. Combines STG's network of inland routes, ramp access, rail relationships, and 15,000 pieces of equipment with TOTE's reliable 3-day transit time. Reduces transit times by 1-7 days based on origin city.
• Boys & Girls Clubs of Puerto RicominorGTM or Marketing Partner · 3 June 2024Long-term community partnership including presenting sponsorship of Youth of the Year Award for 11 consecutive years. TOTE has invested over $1.8M in community giving since 2015, supporting youth education and development on the island.
• GFR Media (Junte Boricua)minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 31 May 2024Cultural tourism partnership for Junte Boricua heritage tourism initiative aiming to attract 50,000 Puerto Ricans to visit the island. TOTE deployed six 40-foot container 'rolling billboards' circulating through Puerto Rico and U.S. cities.
• Saltchuk (Parent Company)coreOthers · 21 May 2024Saltchuk is the parent company building the best family of transportation and distribution companies in North America. TOTE Maritime Alaska and TOTE Maritime Puerto Rico are operating subsidiaries. Saltchuk reported $4.8B combined annual revenue in 2023 with 34 operating companies.
• Carrier TransicoldcoreTechnology or Integration · 20 January 2023Supplier of NaturaLINE refrigeration units using CO2 natural refrigerant with lowest GWP among container systems. TOTE Maritime Puerto Rico was first shipping line to place sizable quantity of NaturaLINE units in U.S. domestic trade with 220 containers.
• Northern Air CargominorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2023Sister company partnership under Saltchuk umbrella. Partnership to deliver 30,000 books to students off Alaska road system, combining NAC's air cargo capabilities with TOTE's maritime reach.
• SeaCube Containers LLCminorOthersContainer leasing partner providing 220 NaturaLINE refrigerated containers via lease agreement. One of world's largest purchasers and lessors of refrigerated containers.
• Eduardo PagánminorOthersEduardo Pagán served as immediate past Board President of Boys & Girls Clubs of Puerto Rico from 2017-2023, demonstrating TOTE's deep community engagement through board leadership.
• Hubbard HouseminorGTM or Marketing PartnerDomestic violence awareness partnership featuring 40-foot shipping container wrapped and branded for Hubbard House, raising awareness of support available for survivors.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Matson Navigation Company: Matson is the largest U.S. Jones Act containership operator, serving Hawaii, Alaska, Guam, and the Pacific. Like TOTE, it owns vessels and terminals, runs scheduled domestic services, and invests in fleet renewal. Directly comparable on regulatory model, asset intensity, and route-economics exposure.
• Crowley Maritime Corporation: Crowley is a direct competitor to TOTE on Jacksonville–San Juan and Anchorage routes, also operates Jones Act vessels and dedicated terminals, and runs a large reefer fleet for the Caribbean. Closely comparable on route overlap, Jones Act dynamic, and Puerto Rico market leadership.
• Pasha Hawaii: Pasha Hawaii operates Jones Act container and roll-on/roll-off services between the U.S. mainland and Hawaii. Comparable as a U.S.-flag, U.S.-built vessel operator running a single dominant domestic trade lane with purpose-built tonnage.
• Liberty Maritime / Liberty Global Logistics: Liberty Maritime operates Jones Act breakbulk and container ships for U.S. government and commercial cargo, including support to Puerto Rico. Comparable on U.S.-flag service, government customer base, and Caribbean exposure.
• Trailer Bridge: Trailer Bridge runs roll-on/roll-off and container services between Jacksonville and Puerto Rico and the Caribbean, directly competing with TOTE Maritime Puerto Rico for trailer/RORO volumes into San Juan.
• Tropical Shipping: Tropical Shipping operates container and breakbulk services from the U.S. East Coast to the Caribbean basin. Comparable as a regional ocean carrier focused on island markets with similar customer segments (retail, refrigerated, oversized).
• American Steamship Company: American Steamship Company operates self-unloading Jones Act bulk carriers on the Great Lakes. Comparable as a U.S.-flag domestic carrier operating purpose-built tonnage on a single regional trade lane.

Broad incumbents

• Maersk (A.P. Moller-Maersk): Maersk is the world's largest container ocean carrier with global deep-sea intercontinental services. Comparable at the broad category level (ocean container liner business), but Maersk operates foreign-flag international trades, not U.S. domestic Jones Act shipping.
• CMA CGM (including former Sea Star Line): CMA CGM is a global ocean carrier that acquired Sea Star Line, a historical direct competitor to TOTE on the Puerto Rico trade. Relevant as a broad incumbent with prior Puerto Rico exposure through Sea Star.

Others

• STG Logistics: STG is TOTE's announced intermodal partner that brings U.S. and Canadian rail/drayage capacity to TOTE's ocean service to Puerto Rico (2024). Comparable as a logistics enabler — not a competitor but a strategic ecosystem partner whose model is relevant to understanding TOTE's go-to-market evolution.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks1 record

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCHhkMCmc_ZJ5BpjWJrcpiBw
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/tote-maritime
• Instagraminstagram.com/tote_maritime
• Xx.com/tote_maritime

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles15 records

Subsidiaries3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Totem Ocean Trailer Express