April 7, 2025
For Phil Morrell, Vice President of Marine Operations at TOTE Services, building positive relationships is a critical part of the marine industry. “The industry is small, but what makes it special is the strong sense of community. The people you work with today are often the same people you’ll work with for years to come.”
This has proven to be the case for Phil, who has been bringing vessels to Seaspan’s Victoria Shipyards for more than 20 years. With a career spanning 24 years at TOTE—and an even longer history in the marine industry—he has seen firsthand the value of relationship-building and working with reliable partners like the team at Victoria Shipyards.
Looking Back on a Longstanding Relationship
The connection between TOTE and Victoria Shipyards goes back decades. While TOTE has been a steady customer since 2006, the relationship first began in the mid-1970s, when the Great Land and Westward Venture were first drydocked at EGD in Victoria. After a brief period in Seattle, TOTE returned to Victoria and Victoria Shipyards with the introduction of its new vessels in 2006 and has remained a customer ever since.
For Phil, returning made sense. Prior to joining TOTE, he had worked as a Cruise Ship Superintendent for Holland America Line, drydocking vessels in Victoria. He was already familiar with the yard’s capabilities and the dedication of our skilled workforce. When it came time to choose a yard for TOTE’s vessels, Victoria Shipyards was an easy choice.
Since 2006, Phil has personally overseen every TOTE drydocking at Victoria Shipyards—now totaling 15 for the company’s Orca-class vessels alone. “I’ve been to every one of them, and I keep coming back because of the positive experiences I have had.”
LNG Conversions – A Complex Undertaking
Among the many projects TOTE and Victoria Shipyards have undertaken together, none stand out quite like the groundbreaking LNG conversion program. Converting TOTE’s vessels to run on liquefied natural gas (LNG) was an ambitious, complex undertaking—one that required innovation, collaboration, and a commitment to problem-solving.
“From a regulatory perspective, we were essentially transforming a dry cargo vessel into a gas carrier,” Phil explained. “That came with a whole new set of safety requirements, engineering challenges, and regulatory hurdles.”
The conversion process required four intensive drydock periods, each lasting 8 to 9 weeks. It was high-stress, high-cost work—but Phil remembers it as a rewarding experience.
“We have great people on both sides—engineers with integrity, problem-solvers who know how to work together,” he said. “It was a fast-paced, high-energy project, but what made it successful was how well our teams worked together. When you’re tackling something this complex, it takes more than just technical expertise. It takes trust.”
That trust was reinforced time and again as Victoria Shipyards team continued to deliver on its commitments. “Victoria Shipyards has never missed a delivery date,” Phil noted. “That’s rare in this industry. A late vessel can disrupt entire supply chains, so having a yard that always delivers on time is invaluable.”
LNG conversion work on TOTE Midnight Sun. Photo taken at Victoria Shipyards located on the federally owned Esquimalt Graving Dock.
A Shared Culture and Values
One of the reasons TOTE and Victoria Shipyards have worked so well together over the years is a similar company culture and set of values. Both organizations are part of larger family-owned companies—TOTE is part of Saltchuk Marine, a privately held, woman-owned business.
“We operate with similar mindsets,” Phil says. “We prioritize safety, we value our employees, and we take pride in the work we do. It’s not just about the bottom line; it’s about doing right by our people and our customers.”
“As a shipowner, it makes me feel good knowing that the workforce at Victoria Shipyards enjoys working on our vessels,” Phil says. “These projects require creativity, problem-solving, and quick thinking. The team here thrives in that kind of environment. They take pride in what they do—and it shows in the results.”
Looking Ahead
With 15 drydocking and major projects like the LNG conversions successfully completed, TOTE and Victoria Shipyards have built a partnership based on trust, reliability, and shared values. As TOTE continues to serve its customers in Alaska, the company knows it has a shipyard partner it can count on.
“Every time we come back, it feels like we’re working with old friends,” Phil says. “And in this industry, that’s something you can’t put a price on.” From the mid-70s to today, the relationship between TOTE and Seaspan’s Victoria Shipyards has stood the test of time. With a strong foundation of trust and collaboration, it’s a partnership that’s sure to continue well into the future.