Barge Industry

Coast Guard Approves Barge Industry Security Plan

The American Waterways Operators' (AWO) Model Vessel Security Plan for the American tugboat, towboat and barge industry has been approved by the Coast Guard. AWO developed the security plan after 9/11 to protect people and property and prevent vessels from being used as weapons of mass destruction. The Model Plan was developed in close consultation with the U.S. Coast Guard and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers by a special AWO Security Working Group. The Plan serves as a template for company-specific procedures to prevent terrorism in the categories of Awareness, Training, Personnel Practices, Planning, and Emergency Response. The Plan lists both required and suggested actions to take, depending on the threat level, with regard to physical security, communications, and cargo. In addition, a Plan appendix categorizes nearly 100 hazardous cargoes to identify those that could be used as weapons of mass destruction. AWO had requested Coast Guard review to have the plan approved as the industry standard under the terms of Navigation and Vessel Inspection Circular (NVIC) 10-02, "Security Guidelines for Vessels." The Coast Guard has informed AWO that domestic tugboat, towboat and barge companies implementing the AWO Model Vessel Security Plan are now considered to comply with the voluntary guidance provided in the NVIC. AWO has also requested that the Coast Guard recognize the Plan as a means of compliance with the forthcoming maritime security plan regulations.

American Waterways Operators Concerned at Low Water Levels

Low-water levels resulting from severe drought conditions in the US Midwest have potential for significant national economic consequences. The low-water levels resulting from severe drought conditions in the Midwest are a stark contrast to the historic flooding of 2011 but share the same potential for significant economic consequences, said Tom Allegretti, President & CEO of American Waterways Operators, a 350-member trade association representing the nation’s tugboat

NTSB Releases Finding of I-40 Accident Investigation

The nation’s tugboat, towboat, and barge industry is committed to improving public safety and preventing accidents involving vessels and bridges, the American Waterways Operators (AWO) pledged as the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) released the results of its investigation of the May 2002 I-40 bridge accident at Webbers Falls, Oklahoma. AWO President Thomas A. Allegretti called the NTSB findings “important information that will help our industry and make the traveling public

Mystic Seaport Tugboats Exhibit

Tugs!, an interactive exhibition that will trace the past, present and future of the American tug, tow and barge industry, will open at Mystic Seaport Saturday, May 22. Designed for visitors of all ages, Tugs! will detail how tugboats play a crucial role in our 21st-century economy that is vital to American commerce and economic success.  With more than 5,000 registered tugboats and towboats operating in the U.S

AWO Hails New Deadlines for Towing Vessel Inspection Regs

The American Waterways Operators (AWO), the national trade association for the tugboat, towboat and barge industry, hails the enactment of provisions in the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2010 (P.L. 111-281) that bring the industry one step closer to a historic towing vessel inspection regulation to improve safety in the towing industry.  Section 701 of the Act requires the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) “to issue a notice of proposed rulemaking regarding inspection

Improved Safety for U.S. Inland Barges

Honeywell reported that operating companies of all sizes within the United States inland barge market are turning to Honeywell’s Tanksystem portable level gauging and sampling technology to optimize custody transfer measurements and improve safety and environmental protection on both newly built barges and retrofit vessels. More than 4,000 tugboats and 27,000 barges move over 800 million tons of raw materials and finished goods each year along more than 25

Senate Hearing Focuses on Single Hull Tanker Phase-Out

The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation conducted a hearing into the phase-out of single hull oil tankers. RADM Paul Pluta

AWO Testifies Before Congress

The American Waterways Operators (AWO), the national trade association for the tugboat, towboat, and barge industry, urged members of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee to enact legislation that establishes a national framework for the regulation of vessel discharges at a Congressional hearing yesterday morning.  Testifying before the House Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation and the Water Resources and Environment Subcommittees on behalf of the Shipping

Poor Conditions, Better Communications

Industry and the federal government continue to work together to improve less than optimal conditions on the U.S. inland waterways. Measurable, although slow progress is being achieved. The summer of 2012 brought drought and poor navigating conditions to the inland waterways. Low water levels continued into the fall and threaten to move into winter, but the event has demonstrated how barge industry and government relations have changed over the years and what challenges remain.

Bulk Transport Leadership: Dan Martin

Drought and ensuing low river levels continue to affect the inland industry. Low water between St. Louis and Cairo, Illinois has threatened traffic on the Mississippi River since December. For months, dredging operations have slowed vessels at points along the river's course. Since December, a stretch at Thebes, Illinois, has been shut for much of each day as the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers removes rock pinnacles. A panel of five executives weighed in on a host of topics regarding inland