NWF Releases Modal Transportation Comparison Update
National study Updated: Compares freight trdansportation by barge, truck and train. Barges Superior in Terms of Fatalities, Injuries, Spills and Environmental/Societal Impacts. The National Waterways Foundation (NWF) has released an update of a 2007 study comparing selected societal, environmental, and safety impacts of utilizing inland river barge transportation to highway and rail transportation. Titled “A Modal Comparison of Freight Transportation Effects on the General Public…
U.S. Waterways: Greenhouse Gas Emissions Study
Acting for the National Waterways Foundation (NWF), the Center for Ports and Waterways at the Texas Transportation Institute, Texas A&M University, has amended their 2007 study, “A Modal Comparison of Freight Transportation Effects on the General Public” to include a comparison of Green House Gas (GHG) emissions between inland river barge transportation, highway and rail transportation. The research team focused on Carbon Dioxide (CO2) emissions, which are currently the focus of the public policy debate on Green House Gasses. Using EPA parameters, the team calculated how much CO2 is emitted per ton mile for each mode. Emissions per ton mile are those emissions experienced in moving one ton of cargo one mile.
MarAd: Study Confirms Benefits of Moving Freight on Inland Waterways
A new joint study by government and industry confirms the efficiency, cost-savings and environmental benefits of moving freight on 's inland waterways. The study, titled "A Modal Comparison of Freight and Transportation Effects on the General Public," was conducted by 's Texas Transportation Institute, and sponsored by the U.S. Department of Transportation's Maritime Administration and the National Waterways Foundation. Considering river barge transportation along certain corridors in the nation, researchers compared that mode's cargo capacity and fuel efficiency with over-the-road trucks and trains. They also compared the overall safety of the three modes; the impact of building and maintaining roads, rails and ports; and the environmental impact of each mode.
Moody's Downgrades ACL
Moody's Investors Service downgraded the ratings of American Commercial Lines LLC's $535 million senior secured bank facility to B1 from Ba2 and the $300 million 10.25% senior unsecured notes to B3 from B1. The Senior Implied rating was lowered to B2 from Ba3 and the issuer rating was lowered to Caa1 from B2. The rating outlook was changed to stable from negative. The ratings downgrades is prompted by the substantial deterioration in operating performance resulting from a reduction in grain exports to Asia, higher fuel costs, and low water levels and unusual ice conditions on its U.S. transport routes which severely impacted the fourth quarter of 2000.
SEACOR and Seabulk Announce Merger Agreement
Seabulk International, Inc. and SEACOR Holdings Inc. announced that they have signed a definitive merger agreement. The Boards of Directors of both companies have unanimously approved the transaction. Under the terms of the merger agreement, Seabulk's stockholders will, subject to limited adjustments, receive 0.2694 of a share of SEACOR common stock plus cash of $4.00 for each issued and outstanding share of Seabulk common stock, which represents a 29% premium over Seabulk's closing share price on March 16, 2005 (based on SEACOR's closing share price of such date). In certain circumstances, the portion of the merger consideration payable in cash may be reduced and shares of SEACOR common stock, having a value on the closing date equal to the cash reduction, may be substituted therefor.
