Marine Link
Friday, March 29, 2024
SUBSCRIBE

Canal Barge Company News

19 Jun 2023

Dredging: Keeping the Mississippi Open

(Photo: USACE)

“Not only does the top of the river move, but the bottom of the river also moves.” - James Bodron, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Mississippi Valley Division, Regional Business Director.Dredging was the Herculean act that allowed much of the U.S. economy to keep chugging along as usual, at least for Midwest and Central states, as drought conditions threatened to shut down river traffic on the Mississippi River and its tributaries, during fall and winter 2022 and early 2023.The full scope of these U.S.

20 Mar 2023

Getting the Work Right: Coordinating Money, Time and Big Projects

© EJRodriquez / Adobe Stock

I. MoneyNo one ever said it’s easy to understand federal budgets and spending plans. Nevertheless, a general sense of clarity and straightforwardness is critical for any review of public expenditures. This becomes more pressing when tracking revenue and expenditures linked to specific users’ fees, such as the $0.29/gallon fuel tax, paid by inland waterways operators. In 2021, the Inland Waterways Trust Fund (IWTF) held $221.5 million, money earmarked to build, maintain and operate…

04 Oct 2022

US Barge Backlog Swells on Parched Mississippi River

© Bill Perry / Adobe Stock

Commercial barge traffic on southern stretches of the Mississippi River was at a standstill on Tuesday as low water levels halted shipments of grain, fertilizer and other commodities on the critical waterway, shipping sources said.The supply chain snarl comes just as harvesting of corn and soybeans, the largest U.S. cash crops, is ramping up and as tight global supplies and strong demand for food and fuel have sent inflation soaring.Around 100 tow boats hauling some 1,600 barges were lined up for miles waiting to pass through one trouble spot near Lake Providence…

16 Sep 2022

Canal Barge Gets $51 Million Title XI Loan

© Michael / Adobe Stock

New Orleans-based Canal Barge Company, Inc. has received a Federal Ship Financing Program (commonly known as “Title XI”) loan guarantee amount of $51,458,000 over 25 years for three new towboats and 17 new barges, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration (MARAD) announced.The loan guarantee approved for Canal Barge Company, Inc. supports the modernization of the company’s barges and towboats, which service the inland waterways of the Ohio, Lower Mississippi and Illinois Rivers.“The Title XI program supports the construction of vessels in U.S.

15 Sep 2022

Inland Waterways Report: Columbia-Snake River System

(Photo: Tidewater Transportation and Terminals)

It’s amazing to consider that a commercial vessel in the Pacific Ocean, approaching the mouth of the Columbia River, can continue its eastward journey to finally tie up at the Port of Lewiston, in Lewiston, Idaho, America’s most inland West Coast port, 465 miles from the Pacific Ocean.The Columbia and Snake Rivers form that critical east-west waterway, an economic powerhouse regionally, nationally and internationally. According to the Pacific Northwest Waterways Association (PNWA)…

17 Aug 2022

US Inland Waterway Infrastructure: Riding a Good News Wave

© Harold Stiver / Adobe Stock

The inland waterways have enjoyed several positive developments toward modernization of the system, particularly over the last two years.Annual appropriations that fund the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Civil Works mission have been steadily on the rise for the last nine fiscal years, specifically the Construction and Operations & Maintenance (O&M) accounts have been funded at historic levels. The passage of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) in 2021 provided a…

08 Apr 2021

Marine News' Top Boats of 2020

General MacArthur (Photo: Callan Marine)

This year, despite innumerable challenges and setbacks, a great number of new U.S.-flagged vessels made their way into service. In addition to Maid of the Mist's new electric tour boats James V. Glynn and Nikola Tesla featured Wednesday, the newbuilds highlighted below are some of the most noteworthy to come out of U.S. shipyards in 2020.DredgerU.S. dredging contractors have been adding tonnage in a big way. This Spring, Callan Marine added a significant piece to the U.S. fleet with its new Jones Act cutterhead suction dredge (CSD) General MacArthur.

02 Aug 2020

Conrad Delivers 6,000hp Towboat to Canal Barge

H. Merritt ‘Heavy’ Lane, Jr. on Sea Trials (Photo: Conrad Shipyard)

Conrad Shipyard said it delivered the 6,000-horsepower towboat, H. Merritt ‘Heavy’ Lane, Jr., to Canal Barge Company, Inc. (CBC). Built at Conrad Amelia, the Subchapter M-compliant vessel measures 166 feet by 49 by 12 and is powered by EPA Tier IV-compliant Electro-Motive Diesel (EMD) engines.The H. Merritt ‘Heavy’ Lane, Jr. utilizes a time-proven design concept that has been enhanced to modern standards through advanced engineering analysis, the shipbuilder said, adding efficient operation and attention to crew accommodations and noise reduction were paramount in the design process.

03 Mar 2020

Sub M Progress – an Update

Credit: Paul C. Lamarre III

Subchapter M, the United States regulatory code dealing with towing vessels and requirements for towing vessel safety, has officially been in place since July 20, 2016, when the U.S. Coast Guard finalized Sub M rulemaking.Since the rules were finalized there have been a couple of important hammer dates. In spring and summer 2018 the first certificates of inspection (COI) were issued. COIs are central within the Sub M program. A vessel needs a COI to legally operate. (All vessels were required to comply with Sub M by July 20, 2018.

10 Jun 2019

Workboat Report: The U.S. Workboat ($33.8B) Market

Inland pushboat and barge. Source Kirby Corporation

The U.S. towing and tug business is 5,500 boats, more than 31,000 barges with an estimated total impact on U.S. GDP of $33.8 billion.“At a macro level, the bigger ships are causing downward pressure on the ship assist business because there are fewer ship calls given the increased capacity of these vessels. However, certain ports have seen tremendous growth, based on strategic location and infrastructure investments that have attracted these larger ships and been a net plus for these areas.”Kate Fuhrman…

27 Sep 2018

Subchapter M Casts Off

Image Credit: Vane Brothers

Initial reports show that the towing industry is adjusting well to the new normal on inland rivers. In fact, it is business as usual for most.July 20, 2018 was a critical date for tow boat operators. That was the deadline for all U.S.-flag towing vessels – over 26 feet, or less if used to assist with transport of oil or hazardous materials – to be in compliance with Subchapter M, the U.S. Coast Guard’s towing vessel safety regulations. It’s been a long time coming. As a regulatory program…

15 Feb 2018

Canal Barge Orders Becker Flap Rudder Retrofit

 Vessel Eugenie P. Jones. © Canal Barge Company, Inc.

The U.S. office of Becker Marine Systems announced the order for a retrofit of another set of Becker Flap Rudders placed by the Canal Barge Company, Inc. Canal Barge Company is a family-owned, independent marine transportation company headquartered in New Orleans. Chosen for retrofit is the 140-ft. boat Eugenie P. Jones, built in 1975 by the Dravo Corporation. She is a sister vessel of the Susan L. Flap Rudders since June of 2014. Canal Barge Company also has one more set of Becker Flap Rudders on order for a third sister boat.

27 Mar 2017

Coalition Urges Congress to Address Asian Carp in the Great Lakes

© Dale Stagg / Adobe Stock

A coalition of maritime business and industry organizations sent a letter to key Members of Congress on Friday, March 24 urging funding for the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) to further support efforts undertaken by the State of Illinois to slow, stop and reverse the migration of Asian carp, an aquatic invasive species, through cost-effective measures. In the letter, the UnLock Our Jobs (UOJ) coalition members review the record of success that the GLRI has had in working with the State of Illinois to develop a range of strategies to control Asian carp…

18 Nov 2016

Waterways Council Elects Parker as Chairman

Tim Parker (Photo: Waterways Council)

As its Annual Meeting and Board of Directors Meeting in Cincinnati on November 15, 2016, Waterways Council, Inc. (WCI) named Tim Parker, President of Parker Towing, as its Chairman of the Board. Parker succeeds Merritt Lane, President and Chief Executive Officer, Canal Barge Company. Parker serves on the Board of Directors of Mercedes-Benz U.S. International, Inc.; as Past Chairman of the Board of the Alabama State Port Authority; Past Member of the Inland Waterways Users Board…

08 Oct 2015

New Orleans Port to Host Maritime Workforce Summit

Designed to expand awareness of the economic impact of commerce on the Lower Mississippi River and highlight career opportunities and pathways, the Summit will feature an array of speakers from industry and academia, along with a panel discussion on how industry can collaborate with educators to fulfill current and future workforce opportunities. “This Summit is designed to educate community stakeholders of the economic impact of trade, transportation and logistics throughout the region and build a coalition of advocates to help leverage resources to develop a highly-skilled local workforce for the future,” said Gary LaGrange, Port President and CEO. The summit begins at 8:30 a.m. in the Great Hall of the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center.

16 Jun 2015

Update: Runaway Barges Recovered

Towing vessel Joyce Hale recovers one of two barges that drifted into piers of the Starved Rock Dam in Utica, Ill. The vessel was pushing eight barges of dry cargo on the Illinois River Sunday when four barges broke free. (USCG photo)

Two barges that drifted against piers of the Starved Rock Dam in Utica, Illinois Sunday afternoon have been safely recovered, the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) reported. One of the barges, carrying corn, was recovered Sunday evening, while the second barge, carrying sand, was recovered Monday morning. The Joyce Hale, a 157-foot towing vessel, was pushing eight barges of dry cargo south on the Illinois River Sunday when two of the eight barges it was pushing made contact with the protection cells of the Starved Rock Lock and Dam.

09 Sep 2014

Energy Markets Buoy U.S. Shipbuilding

McAllister Towing marks its 150th anniversary this year, and the company’s fleet includes more than 75 tugs serving the U.S. East Coast from Maine down to Puerto Rico. Pictured are Buckley McAllister, President; Brian McAllister, Chairman; and Eric McAllister, Chief Operating Officer.

Proliferation of energy related transport continues to drive commercial U.S. As the United States aims towards energy independence by the end of this decade, domestic shipyards and vessels owners are reaping rewards from this most unexpected turn of events. Hydraulic Fracturing, or fracking, has been the main (and well publicized) culprit in the rapid turn of events. While the proliferation of gas has been widely known for years, the presence of oil, in quantity, was a pleasant…

27 Jul 2014

Horizon Delivers 4th 74’ Towboat for Canal Barge Co.

MV Jane Merrick: Photo credit Horizon Shipbuilding

Horizon Shipbuilding, Inc., Bayou La Batre, AL, has delivered the fourth in a series of 74’ towboats to Canal Barge Company, Inc. of New Orleans, LA. The Jane Merrick is 74’ long with a 32’6” beam and an 8’6” draft. Designed by Marine Design, Inc. of Gulf Breeze, Florida, the vessel is capable of pushing fully loaded fuel barges at 10 knots. Its 2000 horsepower is provided by Cummins K38M, tier II 12 cylinder marine propulsion engines, and drives 74” Kahlenberg propellers through Reintjes WAF 562 reduction gears. There are comfortable accommodations for six personnel plus the Captain.

12 May 2014

WISTA Meeting Emphasizes Infrastructure Investment

Col Hansen

At its Annual General Meeting in New Orleans last week, members of WISTA USA (Women’s International Shipping &Trading Association) were urged to support investment in infrastructure projects in order to maintain and grow the transportation of waterborne commerce in the United States. From U.S. Senator David Vitter (R-La.) to Spencer Murphy of Canal Barge Company, Rick Calhoun of Cargill, Gary LaGrange of the Port of New Orleans, Joel Dupre of Southern Recycling and Colonel Richard Hansen of the U.S.

27 Jun 2013

Coast Guard-AWO Vessel Rider Program Kicks Off Second Year

Cadet Joel Amendolara at McAllister’s Yard in Staten Island, alongside the bow of the tug RESOLUTE. Cadet Amendolara was aboard the tug for ten days.

For the second consecutive year, cadets from the U.S. Coast Guard Academy are spending time on board tugboats and towboats this summer as part of a program under the auspices of the Coast Guard-American Waterways Operators (AWO) Safety Partnership. The Coast Guard Academy Cadet Towing Vessel Rider Program was established in February 2012 to educate cadets on the tugboat, towboat and barge industry through a week or more of shoreside and onboard training. This year’s program is off to a strong start…

15 Feb 2013

Bulk Transport Leadership: Merritt Lane

H. Merritt Lane, III, President and CEO of Canal Barge Company, Inc. in New Orleans, has served in that capacity since early 1994 and is a member of the Board of Directors.

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 transportation as part of a round table discussion published in the February print edition of Marine News.

10 Jan 2013

Towboat Delivered by Horizon Shipbuilding

A Towboat Under Construction: Photo credit Horizon Shipbuilding

Horizon Shipbuilding, Inc., Bayou La Batre, AL, has delivered the second in a series of 74’ Towboats to Canal Barge Company, Inc. of New Orleans, LA. The Susan J Gundlach is 74’ long with a 32’6” beam and an 8’6” draft. Designed by Marine Design, Inc. of Gulf Breeze, Florida, the vessel is capable of pushing  fully loaded fuel barges at 10 knots. Its 2000 horsepower is provided by Cummins K38M, tier II 12 cylinder marine propulsion engines and drives 74” Kahlenberg propellers through Reintjes WAF 562 reverse reduction gears. Ship’s power is generated by two 85 KW Cummins generators.

13 Nov 2012

Horizon Shipbuilding Delivers Two Towboats

M/V Eugenie J Huger

Both Milestones Met In Same Week. Horizon Shipbuilding has delivered the fourth in a series of 120’ Towboats to Florida Marine Transporters of Mandeville, LA. The M/V Dale Artigue joins her sister ships, M/V’s Capt. W. D. Nunley, Capt. Kirby Dupuis and Brees in pushing cargoes throughout the inland waterways of the United States. “Like the other towboats we have built, the Artigue adds to FMT’s stable of workhorses,” said Ben Forrest, Horizon Project Manager. “The workmanship that our guys put into this boat is easily recognizable.