TECO Ocean Shipping Co.

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TECO Ocean Shipping is the ocean transportation connection in the TECO Transport family of companies. TECO Ocean Shipping carries coal and other bulk commodities within the Gulf of Mexico and to ports around the world. Established in 1959 to carry coal from Louisiana to Tampa for Tampa Electric, its sister company, TECO Ocean Shipping is the largest dry bulk ocean carrier operating under the U.S. flag. Today, TECO Ocean Shipping transports coal, phosphate, potash, corn, steel, soybeans, wheat, rice, sorghum, sugar and limestone to Central and South America, the Caribbean, Africa, Asia and Northern Europe, as well as to the east and west coasts of the United States. The company currently operates twelve oceangoing tug-barge units and three ships that range in size from 19,200 to 42,800 deadweight tons (DWT) and have a total shipping capacity of over 450,000 DWT. In addition, TECO Ocean Shipping barges are covered and compartmentalized to enable shippers the ability to transport one or more commodities on the same voyage. TECO Ocean Shipping operates several large self-unloading barges using a variety of systems. Vessels not equipped with self-discharging gear have sufficient clear deck space on board for truck cranes, vacuvators, bagging equipment, bobcats or tractors and other equipment. This gives TECO Ocean Shipping vessels the flexibility to handle the many types and volumes of cargo. TECO Ocean Shipping has set the pushing gear standard in the marine industry. The company uses the Artubar and Bludworth systems. With the Bludworth system, the tug is connected to the barge with hydraulics between the barge’s stern and tug’s bow. The Artubar system is similar, but the tug is attached to the barge by 70-inch diameter steel pins. Both systems increase the speed at sea to reduce weather sensitivity and enhance reliability of on-time delivery. With these systems, the units can travel farther before requiring additional bunkers. This means tug-barge units can travel distances previously only covered by ships. TECO Ocean Shipping has also set a standard for dedication to marine safety. TECO Ocean Shipping has gone beyond the minimum to qualify many of its vessels and its shoreside practices for the ISM, International Safety Management Code. This is an industry standard designed to prevent injury to personnel, damage to the environment and to property. TECO Ocean Shipping has also taken a leadership role in complying with the RCP, the Responsible Carrier Program. This is a national set of "best practices" designed by the American Waterways Operators to improve marine safety and environmental protection for inland and coastal towing industries. By its leadership in these programs, TECO Ocean Shipping offers a recognizable level of quality that our customers can count on. As part of the TECO Transport family, TECO Ocean Shipping has access to two sister companies which complete the TECO Transport water transportation network: TECO Bulk Terminal, the largest coal storage and transfer terminal on the Gulf Coast; and TECO Barge Line, an inland river-barge company.