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Barge Companies News

11 Nov 2022

US Inland Waterways: Looking for Rainmakers

(Photo: Ingram Barge Company)

As 2022 moves into its final months, low water levels and drought form the basis of the news impacting inland waterways operators and barge companies. In the first week of October, numerous barges were reported grounded in the Mississippi River, particularly south of Baton Rouge. This has consequences: barge rates jumped 218% in St. Louis, compared to 2021.Low water was so severe that on October 7 Ingram Barge CEO John Roberts issued a force majeure notice (force majeure - unforeseeable…

26 Sep 2022

Silverback Marine Brings Fresh Blood—and Ideas—to Boatbuilding

(Image: Elliott Bay Design Group)

Tacoma, Wash.-based Silverback Marine is a relatively new name in boatbuilding, formed with the tall ambition to “change the way the world thinks about workboats”.“We started Silverback with the vision of essentially bringing, what I would call, the big boat experience to smaller workboats. Enabling people to get a smaller workboat, but also have a real naval architect and engineer go through it—give them renderings, give them that tailored experience that you would normally only find if you’re getting a much larger vessel…

28 Jul 2022

Ahead Sanitation Systems: Full Speed Ahead

(Photo: Ahead Sanitation Systems, Inc.)

Ahead Sanitation Systems, Inc. is fast becoming a leading manufacturer and distributor of marine sanitation systems, products and supplies after more than two decades serving the industry. Those looking can find an Ahead Tank somewhere across all seven seas and most major rivers and lakes in between.Winton I. Rebouche, Jr., known to friends and customers as Boo Boo, is the founder and sole owner of the Broussard, La.-based company. In the late ’80s, Boo Boo worked selling pipe…

25 May 2022

US Inland Waterways: Big Money, New Projects, Help Wanted

(Photo: North Mississippi Industrial Development Association)

New federal money promises dramatic impacts throughout the United States’ inland waterways system in 2022 and beyond. This report focuses on America’s central rivers; the Western rivers will be covered in a future report. These central rivers reach 11,000 miles, from Pennsylvania to Florida and from Texas to South Dakota.Consider the money within the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers “Civil Works Program Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), 2022 Construction Spend Plan.”In Arkansas…

08 Nov 2021

Inland Waterways: A Crucible of Issues

© Bill Perry / Adobe Stock

As 2022 appears on the not-so-distant horizon, we asked inland waterways executives to reflect on the major issues impacting their industry. Just how those issues evolve – and whether they present as challenges or opportunities – is, of course, unknown. Answers to some future questions will be relatively straightforward, confidently based on industry knowledge and experience. Other outcomes remain hazier, and next steps could be influenced by forces and players completely removed from the business of barges…

20 Nov 2020

In Focus: Talking Workboat Safety with AWO's Brian Bailey

Brian Bailey (Photo: AWO)

Brian Bailey, Director of Safety and Environmental Stewardship for the American Waterways Operators (AWO), was recently named a 2020 Rising Star of Safety by the National Safety Council (NSC), a nonprofit public service organization promoting health and safety in the U.S. Marine News spoke with Bailey about workboat safety and the AWO’s mission to protect industry workers, assets and the environment.Please tell us a bit about yourself and your role at AWO.I’ve been with The American Waterways Operators as its Director of Safety & Environmental Stewardship since 2016…

12 Jun 2020

COVID-19 & the US Workboat Market: Business Continuity, Not Business as Usual

In today’s environment, the overarching challenge for the American tugboat, towboat and barge industry is to continue transporting the vital commodities that help keep our nation’s economy moving during a highly uncertain time, while taking all necessary measures to ensure the health and safety of our workforce as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to evolve – in other words, to ensure business continuity, while recognizing we are not, nor can we be, going about business as usual.

27 Feb 2019

OP/ED: Structuring Infrastructure

Michael J. Toohey is President and CEO of the Waterways Council, Inc.

The Inland Waterways View.At the start of any new year, we are often asked what our challenges will be or what we are going to do differently in the year ahead. However, in 2019, just like each year since Waterways Council, Inc. (WCI) was founded in 2003, we intend to stay the course to advocate for full and efficient funding for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to continue its Civil Works mission to construct and maintain navigation projects on the inland waterways.The Corps’…

05 Jul 2018

Workboat Design: Interview with Bob Hill

Robert P. (Bob) Hill, President, Ocean Tug & Barge Engineering Corp.

Robert (Bob) Hill of Ocean Tug & Barge Engineering Corp., of Milford, MA has specialized in the design of AT/B’s for many years. As probably the world's most experienced designer of large articulated tug/barge (AT/B) systems, Hill’s success comes, in part, from a willingness to innovate. Ocean Tug & Barge Engineering Corporation and Robert Hill are the co-inventors of the Intercon Connection System. In a nutshell, his firm has had a hand in over 70% of the operational AT/B’s in service in America – including, 80% of those built or converted since 1994.

01 Mar 2018

WFS Launches Bunker Services in Port Manatee

Port Manatee, Tampa (Photo: WFS)

World Fuel Services (WFS) said it will supply fuel oil and marine diesel from a new physical marine fuel supply location in Port Manatee in Tampa, Fla. WFS said it will have two dual capacity tug and barge units to service the area and has also partnered with Vane Brothers. “World Fuel Services continue to invest in selective physical supply locations. When selecting locations for WFS we carry out an intense risk assessment ensuring we are able to deliver the highest standards of service,” said Joe Gowen, SVP Global Marine Supply.

16 Oct 2017

Campbell CEO Stephaich Weighs in on All Things Inland

Peter H. Stephaich is Chairman and CEO of Blue Danube Incorporated and Campbell Transportation Company. Peter is also on the Board of Directors of Blue Danube, a position that he has held since 1982. If today he isn’t the most familiar name on the domestic waterfront, then perhaps, he should be. Serving the barge industry for over 30 years in a number of key roles, he also counts among his many qualifications his tenure(s) as Past Chairman and Past Treasurer of the American Waterways Operators (AWO), Past Chairman and Trustee of the National Waterways Foundation, Vice Chairman and Executive Committee of Waterways Council (WCI) and as Commissioner and Vice Chairman of the Port of Pittsburgh Commission.

29 Dec 2016

Energy, Finance & the GoM

© Scott Bufkin / Adobe Stock

Some positive market indicators could presage an investment revival in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico – and beyond. The good news, reported by Bloomberg, is that in the third quarter of 2016, the largest oil companies increased cash from operations by nearly $26 billion. This reflects a 67 percent increase from the previous quarter and more than twice the amount of the first quarter of 2016. Exxon Mobil, Royal Dutch Shell, Chevron, Total and BP indicated that the increase was due to lower spending, increased output and rising crude prices, although the numbers were still below last year’s numbers.

25 Oct 2016

ABS Gains AWO RCP Auditor Status

(File photo: Eric Norcross)

ABS has been approved by the American Waterways Operators (AWO) to carry out audits of its Responsible Carrier Program (RCP), a safety management system for tugboat, towboat and barge companies, requiring AWO member companies to undergo periodic management and vessel audits conducted by an independent third party. Towing vessel operators serving the inland waterways, coasts and harbors are looking closely at their fleets to determine the best way to meet the new U.S. Coast Guard Subchapter M regulations establishing vessel safety and inspection requirements.

13 Sep 2016

MN100: DA West

(Image: DA West)

DA WEST is a USA Woman Owned Small Business, manufacturing diesel powered equipment to a diverse client base. All products are listed on the GSA ADVANTAGE schedule. The firm provides products to the military, NOAA, Tug and Barge Companies and oil-spill response organizations. DA West builds portable diesel equipment solutions using only the best and toughest components. The firm manufactures diesel trash pumps, fire pumps, air compressors, generators and hydraulic power packs. All of their equipment can be built to meet tier 4 emissions standards.

08 Apr 2015

US Tank Barge Regs Loom, Laborde Presses Mitsubishi’s 'Mechanical Advantage'

Owners of tank barges eye November 15, 2015 with trepidation, as by then they must ensure that tank barge power units meet USCG Class 1, Division 1 requirements for non-sparking machinery in a hazardous environment. Laborde Products – with the “mechanical advantage of the Mitsubishi” – claims to have the solution. Covington, La.-based Laborde Products is not your standard diesel engine distributor. While Laborde Products was founded in 1998 by Tracy Laborde, the Laborde family has been heavily involved in the marine industry since 1954…

20 Mar 2015

EPA’s SmartWay Initiative Makes Way on the Water

Exhaustive studies by The National Waterways Foundation (NWF), a center for research and learning where industry leaders address public policy issues related to America’s inland waterways system, conclude that inland waterways transport generates fewer emissions of particulate matter, hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide and nitrous oxide than rail or truck on a per ton mile moved basis. But, it’s one thing to claim that metric, and another altogether to prove it to shippers and other freight stakeholders. The time to do that, says the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), is now. Since 2011, the EPA has fostered an initiative to protect…

22 Jan 2015

Webinar to Demonstrate Barge Emissions Tool

Matthew Payne, Team Leader at SmartWay Transport Partnership, will lead the webinar.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and SmartWay will host a webinar for barge carriers and other interested stakeholders to demonstrate Barge Tool, designed to help companies calculate carbon, NOx and PM emissions from barge freight movement. Inland Marine freight movement accounts for more than 600 million tons of cargo, with an annual value in excess of $70 billion dollars, and is an exceedingly efficient means of freight transportation. Barge companies are invited to attend this free webinar to see how using barge operations can reduce emissions footprint.

18 Dec 2014

River Bell Awards Acclaim Maritime 'Family'

Peter H. Stephaich receives the River Bell Award (Photo: SCI)

The Seamen’s Church Institute (SCI) recognized two inland maritime industry leaders at an annual awards luncheon Thursday, December 11, 2014, in Paducah, Ky. The 15th Annual River Bell Awards Luncheon, hosted by SCI, raised more than $270,000 to support mariners served by the Institute’s Ministry on the Rivers and Gulf program. SCI presented the River Bell Award to Peter H. Stephaich, Chairman and CEO of Campbell Transportation Company, Inc.; and to the Chairman of J. Russell Flowers, Inc., J. Russell Flowers, SCI conferred the River Legend Award.

09 Dec 2014

Fugitive Emissions: The New Regulatory Elephant in the Room

W&O Supply and Chesterton team up to reduce harmful emissions out in front to the EPA’s monitoring program. It’s less expensive than you might think. From the UK’s Maritime and Coastguard Agency comes the September 2014 news of a barge operator fined for releasing dangerous gas into the atmosphere. The UK-based firm was made to pay almost £111,000 in fines and costs as a result of emitting unsafe levels of a gas; in this case, hydrogen sulphide (H2S). And, while an investigation by the MCA showed a number of health and safety failings by the operator, the bottom line was that not enough was done to stop the offending vapors from escaping into the atmosphere.

24 Nov 2014

Insights: Morton S. Bouchard III

Morton S. Bouchard  III

Insights: Morton S. Bouchard  III - President and CEO, Bouchard Transportation Co., Inc. When it comes to iconic, East Coast mainstays of the U.S. maritime industry, probably one of the first names that come to mind is ‘Bouchard.’ Likewise, Morton S. Bouchard III, who has served as President of Bouchard Transportation Co., Inc., the nation’s largest independently-owned oceangoing petroleum barge company since 1996, also needs no introduction to Marine News [and Marine Link] readers.

09 May 2014

SUNY Maritime Honors Bouchard's CEO

President and CEO of Bouchard Transportation, Morton S. Bouchard III accepts the Admiral’s Award from Maritime College Interim President Dr. Michael A. Cappeto at the Annual Admiral’s Scholarship Dinner on Tuesday, May 6, 2014

President and CEO of Bouchard Transportation, Morton S. Bouchard III accepts the Admiral’s Award from Maritime College Interim President Dr. Michael A. Morton S. Bouchard Transportation Co., Inc. Bouchard Transportation Co., Inc., President and CEO Morton S. Bouchard III was honored at Maritime College’s Annual Admiral’s Scholarship Dinner for his continued support of the College and its students. In recognition of the occasion, Mr. Bouchard announced plans for the construction of an on-campus dormitory to house visitors to the Bouchard Transportation Company…

26 Mar 2014

Conrad Delivers Massive Deck Barge to JR Gray

Photo: Conrad Shipyard

Conrad Shipyards announced today the delivery od a 200’ x 100’ x 19’10” ABS-classed ocean deck barge to Gray Offshore. The barge, Julius, is the first project delivered from Conrad Shipyard’s newest facility, Deepwater South, in Amelia, La. John Gray, president of Gray Offshore and its affiliated Gray Barge Companies, who provides a fleet of over 90 inland, spud, waste, rock and deck barges for charter, said, “This addition to our fleet, with its 6,000 lbs/ft, heavy-duty deck configuration and radial “spoon bow offers customers optimal solutions for their heavy lift needs.

14 Mar 2014

CEACT Allows Operators to REACT

How updated electronic navigation practices improve safety and efficiency – and optimize cargo movement – on US inland waterways. It was a cold winter night. Heavy gusts and snow did not allow safe navigation and forced the ships on the upper Mississippi to secure alongside the few remaining jetties. Safety is the key issue for all river transport companies but at the same time efficiency and timely delivery of valuable goods is of utmost importance. It was 1999 and an American navigation pioneer – Greg Dunkle – had realized the potential of electronic chart systems.

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