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Commercial Lines News

07 Mar 2022

Recovery, Resilience and Demand Shifts to Drive Inland Waterway Cargo Flows

(Photo: Blessey Marine Services)

Waterway traffic is coming back. November 2021 saw 52.1 million tons moving on the U.S. inland waterway system, the highest monthly tonnage since October 2019, a few months before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the shutdowns and stoppages of early 2020. Flows estimated by the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS), part of the U.S. Department of Transportation, based on data from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) show a 25% rise from June 2020. Data in a presentation by The Waterways Council Inc (WCI)…

20 Sep 2021

Expect the Unexpected on the Inland Waterways

Among transportation planners, “resilience”, describing the ability to bounce back from adversities, both economic and other, has become a top consideration as we increasingly must “expect the unexpected.” The U.S. waterway system, covering the network of inland rivers and coastwise waterways, has seen a mix of good and not so good. As the 2020-2021 pandemic moves toward winding down, a recovery from the dismal 2020 is underway, but activity on the rivers is uneven. Ken Eriksen…

18 Nov 2020

US Inland Waterways: High Waters & Swirling Currents

(Photo: Ingram Barge)

The inland waterway system, flowing through the United States heartland, is a microcosm of all that has been happening in 2020: trade tensions, infrastructure issues, shifting trends in fuel consumption and the pandemic that has gripped us since the winter months. Shortly after the initial coronavirus outbreak here in the U.S., maritime workers were deemed to be “essential”, paving the way for cargo flows to recover from their springtime nadir. As COVID-19 infections turned up on U.S. shores, the boats continued plying the waterways, albeit with reduced volumes in some cases.

07 May 2020

US Barging Industry Navigating Black Swan Events

(Photo: Campbell Transportation Company)

The combination of the coronavirus pandemic and oil price freefall have affected most maritime markets, including inland waterway shipping. Looking at U.S. river transport in particular, the impacts of these two black swan events vary greatly depending on the type of cargo being carried.David Grzebinski, CEO of the America’s largest tank barge operator, Kirby Corp., said in a March conference call that petrochemical customers have driven the market higher as plants and refineries look to shore up their supply chains amid current market upheavals…

20 Mar 2020

ACL Expects to Emerge from Chapter 11 Soon

© Warren Price / Adobe Stock

American Commercial Lines Inc. (ACL) said on Friday it expects to complete its recapitalization and emerge from Chapter 11 in the coming weeks after the U.S. Bankrptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas, Houston Division confirmed the company's pre-packaged plan. ACL announced it would implement the recapitalization plan in February. Upon emergence, the company will receive $200 million in new capital to support liquidity and investments in the business and will reduce its funded debt by approximately $1 billion…

28 May 2019

Kirby’s Secret Sauce

Image Credit: Kirby Corporation

Another year; another major fleet takeover by Kirby Corporation. But the leader of the inland tank-barge sector is not growing for growth’s sake: a deeper look at the numbers shows a disciplined strategy at work.“Kirby is definitely the big gorilla in the inland barge market,” affirmed Jefferies analyst Randy Giveans. Indeed, Houston-headquartered Kirby Corp has been extremely active buying fleets over the past few years, most recently acquiring the 63 tank barges of Cenac Marine in March for $244 million.

20 Feb 2019

Blue Danube Elects Monahan to BoD

Michael J. Monahan

Mike Monahan was elected to Blue Danube Incorporated’s Board of Directors on February 8, 2019. Blue Danube Incorporated is the holding company of Campbell Transportation Company Inc. Michael J. Monahan joined Campbell Transportation Company (“Campbell”) as President in October of 2011. Campbell is a privately held company which is based in Houston, PA. Campbell and its subsidiaries employ approximately 300 employees, owns and manages over 1,100 barges and 40 to 50 towboats, 3 major shipyards…

26 Mar 2018

Jeffboat Announces Plant Closure

Jeffboat announced this morning the pending closure of its shipyard operations in Jeffersonville, Indiana. Following recent Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act (WARN) notices of November 1, 2017 and February 1, 2018 announcing layoffs, Jeffboat president and CEO Mark Knoy said they will finish construction of barges around the first of May. Following the closure, Jeffboat will be reviewing the best alternative uses for the 65 acres of riverfront property currently occupied by the shipyard. Over an 80 year history here in Jeffersonville, Jeffboat’s skilled workers have built 12,900 vessels. The majority of these vessels were towboats and barges that deliver cargoes throughout the inland river system.

11 Sep 2017

“Blockchain” and the World of Marine Insurance

© the_lightwriter / Adobe Stock

If you’ve been working in the marine insurance industry lately, you will have heard about “blockchain” at some point; it is the electronic, distributed ledger, notoriously known for enabling the use of cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin and Ether. But the blockchain technology’s utility goes beyond cryptocurrencies, potentially offering creative ways to solve other real-world problems. Within blockchain ledgers, the use of ‘smart’ contracts essentially converts contractual obligations into lines of computer protocols, which facilitate, verify, or enforce its performance.

24 Apr 2016

Seattle Port's Green Gateway Award for Holland America Line

The Port of Seattle presented Holland America Line with its sixth consecutive Green Gateway Award. The Port of Seattle also presented Seattle’s hometown cruise line with the Technology Innovator award. The Port of Seattle presents the Green Gateway Awards annually to cruise and commercial lines that call at the port and whose environmental efforts are deemed worthy of recognition. “Holland America Line’s commitment to the environment is something we’re very proud of, and to be recognized for the sixth year by the Port of Seattle with a Green Gateway Award is a testament to our dedication and focus,” said Orlando Ashford, Holland America Line’s president. “We are continuously seeking more ways to be an environmental steward and responsibly sail the world’s oceans.

18 Jan 2016

Bearing System Sees No Wear After 20,000 Hours

Inland Barge Services’ push boat Ramona serves the communities along Alaska’s Yukon River (courtesy of Inland Barge Service Inc)

After nine years of operation in the harsh, abrasive waters of Alaska’s Yukon River, aboard Inland Barge Service’s push boat Ramona, Thordon Bearings’ RiverTough water-lubricated tail-shaft bearing system has emerged completely free of wear and tear, according tot the manufacturer. The performance of the RiverTough bearings in waters renowned for their high content of gritty glacial silt came to light when the 16-meter workboat’s cracked struts underwent repair in dry-dock. Charles Hnilicka…

21 Dec 2015

Skuld Quadruples Bottom Line

Norwegian marine insurer Skuld delivered a result of USD 20 million in the first nine months of the year, a USD 5 million increase from the same period last year. Overcapacity is still putting pressure on premium levels, says CEO. Skuld president and CEO Ståle Hansen said: "After nine months the bottom-line ended at USD 20 million, which includes provision for a mutual members' credit of USD 5 million. This is a USD 11 million improvement since the six months figures and a USD 15 million improvement compared with the same period last year. "Skuld's chosen path of diversification is bearing dividends and we are seeing a positive contribution from the commercial lines of business and a positive run-off on older claims years.

12 Nov 2015

ACL Acquires AEP River Operations

Mark Knoy (Photo: American Commercial Lines)

Marine transportation service company American Commercial Lines (ACL) announced it has acquired commercial inland barge company AEP River Operations from American Electric Power (AEP). AEP River Operations is based in Chesterfield, Mo., with operations in Paducah, Ky.; and Convent, Algiers and Belle Chasse, La., and delivers approximately 45 million tons of products annually. Mark Knoy, president and CEO of Jeffersonville, Ind. based ACL, had previously run AEP River Operations for a decade before joining ACL in 2011.

01 Oct 2015

AEP to Sell AEP River Ops To ACL

American Electric Power (AEP) has signed an agreement to sell its commercial barge transportation subsidiary, AEP River Operations LLC, to American Commercial Lines (ACL), owned by Platinum Equity, for approximately $550 million. AEP River Operations is a commercial inland barge company delivering about 45 million tons of products annually, including 10 million tons of coal. AEP River Operations has 56 towboats, 2,301 barges and 1,090 employees. The company is headquartered in Chesterfield, Missouri, with operations in Paducah, Kentucky, and Convent, Algiers and Belle Chasse, Louisiana. AEP announced in March that the company was exploring strategic alternatives for AEP River Operations, including a potential sale.

09 Jan 2015

SCI’s New Chapter in Maritime Training

Seamen’s Church Institute (SCI) launched an initiative on December 10, 2014 aiming to transform training for America’s inland mariners at its Center for Maritime Education in Paducah, KY. The day before its 15th Annual River Bell Awards ceremony, the Seamen’s Church Institute (SCI) pushed the proverbial boat out on a new era of maritime education. In prior months, SCI had installed new simulators and renovated the hospitality areas at its Center for Maritime Education in Paducah, KY. The official dedication of the refurbished Center on December 10 revealed SCI’s blueprint for preparing a new generation of mariners for safe operations on American waterways.

09 Jan 2015

SCI’s New Chapter in Maritime Training

The Simulator at the Center for Maritime Education in Paducah, KY.

On December 10, 2014, SCI launched a major initiative to transform training for America’s inland mariners at its Center for Maritime Education in Paducah, KY. The day before its 15th Annual River Bell Awards ceremony, the Seamen’s Church Institute (SCI) pushed the proverbial boat out on a new era of maritime education. In prior months, SCI had installed new simulators and renovated the hospitality areas at its Center for Maritime Education in Paducah, KY. The official dedication…

04 Dec 2014

ZF Geared up for a Commerical Maritime Push

“We know how to build gears, and these (Tough Gears) are really on the highest standard in terms of material, production processes and design. Today we have a wide, modern portfolio in this (workboat) area. This should be a signal into the market:  We are here; we have this portfolio, and it’s a good product. In fact it is a really good product.”  Andre Körner, Head of Production Commericial  & Fast Craft, ZF Friedrichshafen AG

A walk through the ZF Friedrichshafen AG marine propulsion system manufacturing plant in southern Germany does nothing but confirm the commonly held perceptions of German engineering prowess: the facility is clean to a fault; the equipment is modern and well-maintained; the employees are orderly and efficient. While the ZF marine propulsion systems business – which generated a turnover of $336 million in 2013 – is but a sliver of the company’s overall 2013 sales of $22.4 billion…

15 Oct 2014

Z-Drive Towboats

ZF Marine penetrates domestic inland waterway markets – enjoying good success with two U.S. majors. The prospects for an even brighter future hinge on the performance of its early entries. So far, so good. It’s no secret that the domestic, inland marine business can be conservative in its approach to adopt new technologies, but then, this can probably be said of the global waterfront, as well. But the market is changing, driven by larger corporate entities moving into these tightly held markets, as well as a myriad of legislative and operational conditions – namely the rapidly rising cost of fuel. ZF Marine – or more specifically ZF Marine Krimpen b.v.…

08 Sep 2014

MN 100: Moxie Media, Inc.

1301 Dealers Ave. Moxie Media develops, publishes and distributes cutting edge training materials to meet the regulatory, health, security and workforce needs of the maritime industry. Moxie brings cost-effective resources to companies who must meet government and industry training requirements such as the US Coast Guard, OSHA, DOT, API, BOEM, BSEE, DHS, TSA, AWO, and IMO. All of Moxie Media’s online courses are interactive, video-based programs, shot on vessels and maritime locations and customized to the maritime industry.

16 Jul 2014

ACL Recognizes Safe Liquid Cargo Handlers

Photo: ACL

American Commercial Lines presented Marine Environmental Stewardship Awards on Wednesday, July 16 in Houston, Texas, recognizing 35 customers for safe handling of chemicals, petroleum products and other liquid cargos. The customers recognized by ACL safely handled over two billion gallons of chemicals, petroleum products and other liquid cargoes with the barge transportation company in 2013. Recipients of the award are: Axiall Corporation; BASF Corporation; Bayer Corporation; Bunge North America…

03 Jan 2014

Z. David Completes Construction of MV Z Sharon

Deloach Marine Services, LLC, and A & Z Marine, LLC, announced the completion of the “M/V Z Sharon.” Z. David Deloach is the sole owner of Deloach, which provides charter towing service along the GIWW and A & Z, his shipyard located in Port Allen, LA. The vessel was originally built by Janoush Marine, Rosedale, MS, as the “FOSTI EDDIE E.” Deloach purchased the vessel in 1984, renamed it the “Bonnet Carre,” but later sold it to American Commercial Lines in 1988 who renamed it the “Donald C. Clark.” Deloach operated the vessel for ACL from 1988 to 2007, when he and his partner sold their fleet to Ingram Barge Company. He later repurchased the vessel and began a refurbishment. Deloach knows the hull as a proven and efficient design, with extreme maneuverability.

20 Nov 2013

ACL Receives Environmental Achievement Award

American Commercial Lines Inc. (ACL), a U.S. marine transportation service company, was presented with Environmental Achievement Awards by the Chamber of Shipping of America (CSA) at a reception held Wednesday, November 13 in Washington, D.C. A total of 74 of ACL’s fleet of 100 towboats were recognized by CSA for their environmental records. CSA represents U.S.-based companies that own, operate or charter ocean-going tankers, containers ships, or dry bulk vessels in domestic or international trades. The organization has been presenting Environmental Achievement Awards since 2004 to recognize vessel and shore-side personnel for good stewardship of the marine environment and to increase public awareness of the marine transportation industry’s excellent record of environmental accomplishment.

10 Jun 2013

ACL Selected to Serve on the IWUB

Mark Knoy, ACL President and CEO (Photo: ACL)

American Commercial Lines (ACL) has been selected to serve as a representative on the Inland Waterways Users Board (IWUB), an advisory board established to monitor the Inland Waterways Trust Fund (Fund) and make recommendations to the Army Corps of Engineers and to Congress on investment priorities using resources from the Fund. Comprised of representatives of the barge transportation industry and the customers it serves, the IWUB provides input to help identify and prioritize investment in inland navigation infrastructure.

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