River Systems News

Kimberly Lutz and America’s Watershed Initiative (AWI) are making every effort to sustain the Mississippi River for generations to come.The Mississippi River is one of the world’s largest river systems and is arguably America’s most critical waterway. Flowing over 2,350 miles, spanning, at points, up to eleven miles, and discharging approximately 593,003 cubic feet of water per second into the Gulf of Mexico, the Mighty Mississippi is awe inspiring in terms of its natural characteristics as well as its commercial impact on both the American and global economies.

The 2022 Maritime Risk Symposium (MRS) is scheduled to be held Nov. 15-17, 2022, hosted by Argonne National Laboratory at the Argonne campus in Lemont, Illinois. MRS is an annual international event focused on risks involving the global maritime transportation system (MTS). For the MRS, the U.S. Coast Guard partners with the sponsor, the Transportation Research Board of the National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine, and the hosting agency. MRS began in 2011 and has grown in size, scope and interest. The MRS event will be followed by the U.S.

Federal water managers are changing release and storage schedules at several Pacific Northwest dams because of a late season and strong atmospheric river that began June 9. Significant amounts of rainfall have fallen across the Columbia River Basin filling reservoirs and rivers.To assist in managing river stages at Vancouver, Wash., the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Northwestern Division, is increasing storage behind the John Day Dam in Eastern Oregon. Where most dams on the Columbia and lower Snake rivers are “run of river” projects…

Galveston-based dredging and marine construction contractor Callan Marine announced the launch of its newest fleet asset, the 28-inch cutter suction dredge named General Bradley.At 341 feet in length and 52 feet wide, General Bradley will have a maximum digging depth of 60 feet and a dredge pipe diameter of 28 inches. Constructed at Halimar Shipyard in Morgan City, La., the diesel-electric driven General Bradley will be equipped with three ABC 12DZC engines that supply 9,260 horsepower combined.

The Gulf Intracoastal Canal Association’s retiring executive director reflects on key progress made and vital work remaining.As my tenure as President, Gulf Intracoastal Canal Association (GICA) ends after 11 years, it is gratifying look at the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway (GIWW) and reflect on its compelling relevance to our nation. Often referred to as the “Silent Giant,” as I wrote in this publication in 2014, the Giant indeed awoke and emerged as a vital waterway which delivers…

Danish offshore supply vessel operator Maersk Supply Service will deploy another vessel to support The Ocean Cleanup in its effort to remove plastic from the oceans.MSS said that this summer the Maersk Trader vessel will join its sister vessel Maersk Tender in the Pacific Ocean, strengthening The Ocean Cleanup’s pursuit to rid the oceans of plastic.The Maersk Trader is contracted for one year and will initially work on a trial in the Great Pacific Garbage Patch in Summer 2021."The extra vessel, Maersk Trader, was made possible by A.P.

When it comes to the EPA’s recent proposed delay to implementation of Tier 4 marine diesel engines ‘in certain high-speed commercial vessels,’ where you stand probably depends on where you sit.On September 6, the U.S. Environmental Protection agency (EPA) proposed to delay implementation of Tier 4 marine diesel engines “in certain high-speed commercial vessels.” Specifically; EPA mentions three kinds of vessels: lobster boats, pilot boats and a third, more open-ended reference to “other high-speed vessels,” possibly including hovercraft.

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.

The Old River Control Structure and its future implications for the Mighty MississippiPrior to about 1500, the bodies of water now called the Mississippi River and the Red River (also known as the Red River of the South) were roughly parallel along their southern reaches, each emptying separately into the Gulf of Mexico. About 1500, the Mississippi, which has a long history of meandering, developed a large bend to the west in the vicinity of what is now Point Breeze, Louisiana. That bend, sometimes referred to as Turnbull’s Bend, connected with the Red River and had the effect of making the Red River basically a tributary of the Mississippi, with only a small portion of its waterflow continuing south. That southern waterflow is now called the Atchafalaya River.

The 5th annual inland IMX show coincides with the first ever FreightWeek STL. For transport professionals, supply chain stakeholders and inland operators alike, there was something for everyone. St. Louis, MO: This week’s IMX inland marine industry tradeshow may have been the primary focus for inland stakeholders, but there were many more reasons to be here in St. Louis. Parallel with and coordinating with the 5th annual event was the weeklong FreightWeek STL event intended to spotlight freight and transportation industries, opportunities and to underscore the St. Louis region as a global freight hub. Importantly, the collaboration also highlighted the need for intermodal solutions and not necessarily modal competition.

Plaquemines and American Patriot Holdings plan new container port-vessel system. Plans are underway for a new 4,200-acre intermodal container terminal within the Port of Plaquemines Harbor and Terminal District. The project, a partnership (Exclusivity Agreement) between the Port and American Patriot Holdings (APH) calls for the development of a logistics system for “vessel operations comprised of deep-water docking at the Pointe Celeste Container Terminal and multiple upriver terminals.” That’s the Mississippi River, of course, and initial upriver terminals could be sited in Memphis and St.

Laborde Products is an engine distribution company focused on the commercial markets along the gulf coast and inland river systems. Laborde represents Mitsubishi, Yanmar and Steyr commercial marine engines. Laborde is also preparing to launch the OXE Diesel Outboard engine throughout the Gulf Coast. They also represent several commercial industrial engines including FPT, Yanmar, Mitsubishi, Hatz and PSI. Laborde provides support out of its locations in Covington, LA and Houston, TX and through a comprehensive service network. Laborde has 45 employees.

Nearly 85 years ago, Tidewater pioneered commercial transportation on the upper Columbia Snake River system and opened up one of the nation’s most isolated regions to global markets. Today, Tidewater Holdings is comprised of Tidewater Barge Lines, Tidewater Terminal Company, and since 2014, Tidewater Environmental Services, Incorporated. Tidewater Terminal Company works in conjunction with its Barge Lines, using key intermodal connections to railroads, highways and pipelines.

SENNEBOGEN has been a leading name in global material handling for over 60 years. Stanley, North Carolina-based SENNEBOGEN LLC offers a complete range of purpose-built machines to suit virtually any material handling application. Since 2000, SENNEBOGEN LLC has became a leader in specialized equipment solutions for recycling and scrap metal yards, demolition, barges, port operations, and log-handling. A network of SENNEBOGEN distributors throughout North America includes more than 50 service locations on the Ohio and Mississippi River systems.

PALFINGER MARINE Winches and Offshore Equipment has signed a contract for the supply of complete winch packages to 15 Module Carrier Vessels being built for Topaz Energy and Marine. The vessels, of VARD 9 21 design, are developed by Vard Design to navigate the shallow river systems as they transport modules through the Russian waterways to oilfields in Kazakhstan. Measuring 123 by 16.5 meters, the vessels are designed to carry high deck loads of up to 1,800 tons. he vessels will be operated by Topaz through a consortium led by Blue Water Shipping for the end-client Tengizchevroil.

Vard Holdings Limited secured a contract for the design and construction of 15 Module Carrier Vessels for Topaz Energy and Marine. The vessels, of VARD 9 21 design, are specially developed by Vard Design to navigate the shallow river systems as they transport modules through the Russian waterways to oilfields in Kazakhstan. Measuring 123 by 16.5 meters, the vessels are designed to carry high deck loads of up to 1800 tons. The vessels will be operated by Topaz through a consortium led by Blue Water Shipping for the end-client Tengizchevroil. Five of the vessels will be built at Vard Braila and four at Vard Tulcea in Romania, while the remaining six will be built at Vard Vung Tau in Vietnam. Delivery is scheduled between 3Q 2017 and 2Q 2018.

March Coast Guard deadline represents milestone for AIS use in U.S. From increasing situational awareness and enhancing the safety and security of maritime transportation, to its use in accident investigation, search and rescue, Aids to Navigation and asset monitoring, the role of AIS (Automatic Identification System) as a flexible and developing technology continues to grow in significance. The month of March 2016 – has come and gone – and represents an important milestone which will increase the prevalence and general awareness of AIS.

The Coast Guard's two Captains of the Port have closed all maritime entrances in the Pacific Northwest, Friday, due to severe  sea conditions and large amounts of debris in the water. In Oregon, the ports of Chetco River in Brookings; Coos Bay; Umpqua River in Winchester Bay; Siuslaw River in Florence; Yaquina Bay in Newport; Depoe Bay; Tillamook Bay in Girabaldi; and the Columbia River are closed to all traffic. In Washington the port of Grays Harbor in Westport; and Quillayute River in LaPush are closed. Several storms carrying strong winds and heavy rainfall crossed the Pacific Northwest over the last week and have caused flooding and landslides in parts of Oregon and Washington.

The Coast Guard cutter fleet is flushing ice through the Great Lakes river systems to prevent ice jams and facilitate commercial shipping as the shipping season begins and the ice on the Great Lakes dissipates. Ice breaking operations, above freezing-temperatures, and rain has caused plate ice to weaken, creating large and small ice floes through the Great Lakes and its river systems. The Coast Guard posted a video of the Coast Guard Cutter Bristol Bay performing ice flushing operations on the St. Clair river. You can see the video here.

The Coast Guard cutter fleet is flushing ice through the Great Lakes river systems to prevent ice jams and facilitate commercial shipping as the shipping season begins and the ice on the Great Lakes dissipates. Ice breaking operations, above freezing-temperatures, and rain has caused plate ice to weaken, creating large and small ice floes through the Great Lakes and its river systems. These ice floes, if not managed and flushed, can create thick brash ice that can clog the mouths and connection points of the rivers, which can cause significant flooding and block shipping channels. The Soo Locks along the St. Marys River opened Wednesday, and the Welland Canal, which connects Lake Erie to Lake Ontario, as well as the St.

HB Centaurus is the latest addition to the RApide 4600-Z3 Class of shallow draft pushboat designs by Robert Allan Ltd., delivered to its owner: Hidrovias do Brasil in February, 2015. Constructed at Uzmar Shipyard, in Turkey, the HB Centaurus will operate in the Rio Paraguay and Rio Paraná river systems of South America. HB Centaurus in the eighth and final RApide 4600-Z3 Class vessel for this Owner, and in late March joined its sistership HB Scorpius on one of Rolldock’s heavy lift ships for delivery from Turkey to South America. This delivery took place 12 months after HB Hydra and HB Aquarius, the first two vessels in the series began their delivery voyage.

Some veteran Mississippi pushboats and barges have been transported to South America for second careers. However, conditions on a great river like the Paraguay-Paraná are different. It has sharp bends, shallow stretches, and includesremote reachestotally lacking in infrastructure. Building on extensive experience designing for the shallow rivers of Canada's frontiernorthland, Robert Allan Ltd., Naval Architects from Vancouver, BC have taken on the challenge of creating a new generation of specialized tug and barge systems to suit these demanding environments. A waterway logistics corporation, Hidrovias do Brasil, was the firm's first South American client to commission new purpose-built shallow draft vessels.

Cutting-edge Demonstration Project on the Rivers. The Shearer Group, Inc. (TSGI) is proud to be participating with Pittsburgh Region Clean Cities (PRCC) and Clean Fuels Clean Rivers (CFCR) to conduct a marine air quality study centered on the conversion of an inland towboat to dual fuel diesel/liquid natural gas (LNG) to reduce diesel emissions in marine vessels. The Maritime Administration (MARAD) Maritime Environmental and Technical Assistance Program (META) grant awarded to the CFCR coalition is the first-ever awarded by the federal government specifically targeting the marine community operating in the Nation's inland rivers. The coalition will convert a harbor towboat to burn LNG as its fuel source, monitoring the emissions before and after.