For immediate release
Contact: Kim Philippi
kphillippi@buildingconservation.org
(713) 626-4234 

Shell Reveals Starship Initiative Results at Finale Event
Rolling Lab on Wheels Hauled Habitat Materials across the Country 

JACKSONVILLE, Florida – (June 14, 2018) – On Tuesday, June 5, 2018, employees of Shell, Shell Lubricants customers, national media outlets, Coastal Conservation Association Florida (CCA Florida) and CCA’s National Habitat Program, the Building Conservation Trust (BCT), gathered at the Prime F. Osborn III Convention Center in Jacksonville, Florida to learn the results of the Starship cross-country drive.

“Through this road trip, we were able to test the Starship truck along with a number of technologies available today and provide insight into what trucking fleets and owner/operators could consider adopting to help reduce fuel use and emissions as they haul heavy loads,” said Carlos Maurer, president, Shell Lubricants Americas. “We were fortunate that our relationship with Building Conservation Trust and CCA Florida made the perfect load available – reef material – that helped us complete our cross-country drive and create a new oasis for ocean life off the Florida coast.”

Starship is a hyper-aerodynamic, fuel-efficient class 8 concept truck, utilizing a variety of fuel-efficient technologies, all of which are available today, but are not yet in common use. These include advanced aerodynamic features, solar panels, an especially efficient Cummins 15 liter engine, low rolling resistance tires and of course, low friction lubricants from Shell within each driveline component. Its creation is the result of a partnership between Shell and Airflow Truck Company. The truck started its journey in San Diego, California on May 18, 2018. Transporting artificial reef materials, Starship made pit stops in Gila Bend, Arizona; Comfort, Texas; Houston, Texas; and Biloxi, Mississippi. Starship finished its cross-country tour in Jacksonville on May 24.

The Starship Initiative Finale Event included speakers from Shell Lubricants, the North American Council for Freight Efficiency (NACFE), Roechling Automotive, Penske Truck Leasing, Shell Technology, Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations and Airflow Truck Company.

As reported on by Mike Roeth, executive director of NACFE, Starship’s overall performance was verified and was based on freight ton efficiency, as well as miles traveled, fuel consumed and freight carried. Two independent telematics devices and a datalogger were used, and measurements were verified along the route. It was determined that the data found was within 2 percent of each other. Other data such as wind speed and direction, elevation change and idle time were also taken into account. According to Shell, the end results confirmed the Starship truck attained 178.4 ton-miles per gallon  for freight ton efficiency  – a nearly 248 percent improvement over the North America average freight ton efficiency of 72 ton-miles per gallon for trucks.

The truck’s payload consisted of nearly 40,000 pounds of limestone rock to be deployed as an artificial reef in the St. John’s River out of Jacksonville. This project will create new marine habitat, and it will continue to grow and serve the local community for many years to come. Shell Oil Company provided funding for this deployment, which is a partnership with CCA Florida and BCT.

“This has been the most innovative project that BCT and CCA Florida have ever been involved in,” said John Carlson, chairman of the Building Conservation Trust. “We are always so grateful for Shell Oil Company’s generous support, and we are thrilled to be a part of a project that will make a huge impact on the community of Jacksonville.”

The materials carried by Starship are anticipated to deploy in summer 2018.

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The Building Conservation Trust (BCT) was founded in 2013 as the national marine habitat program of Coastal Conservation Association. BCT is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization exclusively dedicated to providing funding for local, state and national fisheries, habitat conservation and restoration projects. BCT has created a model for the successful collaboration of business, non-profit organizations and government agencies to revitalize critical habitat and establish a vibrant foundation for the marine ecosystem.

The Coastal Conservation Association (CCA) was founded in 1977 after drastic commercial overfishing along the Texas coast decimated redfish and speckled trout populations. One of 19 state chapters, CCA Florida became the fifth state chapter in 1985. A 501(c)3 non-profit, the purpose of CCA is to advise and educate the public on conservation of marine resources. Through habitat restoration projects, water quality initiatives and fisheries advocacy, CCA Florida works with its over 18,000 members including recreational anglers and outdoor enthusiasts to conserve and enhance marine resources and coastal environments. Join the conversation on Facebook or learn more at ccaflorida.org.