Mike Ellis News

Jeffersonville, Ind. based marine transportation company American Commercial Barge Line (ACBL) announced Steve Schappell has been appointed Senior Vice President of Logistics and Network Operations after entering the role on an interim basis in September.Schappell, who joined ACBL in July 2021 as Vice President of Supply Chain and Continuous Improvement, was selected for the position over several external candidates, the company said.Reporting directly to ACBL CEO Mike Ellis, Schappell is responsible for ACBL's Fleets, Terminals, and Interchange business unit.

There is no shortage of challenges confronting the U.S. barging industry, and executives such as Mike Ellis, CEO at American Commercial Barge Line (ACBL), are leading their companies past hurdle after hurdle. The Jeffersonville, Ind.-based company, which owns a fleet of approximately 150 towboats and moves a fleet of some 4,500 barges (including roughly 3,500 operated by ACBL), is focusing on factors it can control while planning and investing for the future.The weatherMother Nature is often unkind to the barging industry.

For companies active in all parts of the commercial maritime sector, finding and holding onto the workers they need to build, operate and service the industry’s wide range of vessels has been challenging. Simply put, the labor market is tight, and the problem is not getting any easier to solve.Mike Ellis, CEO at American Commercial Barge Line (ACBL), said a continued shortage of qualified personnel has been the most pressing issue for ACBL—and probably for the barging industry as a whole. “There's been so much demand on people.

Jeffersonville, Ind. based American Commercial Barge Line (ACBL) on Tuesday announced it has signed a contract with Belle Chasse, La. shipyard C&C Marine and Repair to build a 11,000 horsepower (HP) class towboat.Designed by Portland, Maine-based CT Marine, the twin-screw towboat will measure 198 feet long, with 50-foot beam and 12-foot depth. With accommodations for a crew of up to 12, the vessel incorporates a floating, spring-mounted superstructure for additional onboard comfort.

U.S. inland marine transportation and logistics solutions company American Commercial Barge Line (ACBL) announce it has hired Joel Gard as senior vice president of its newly established Interchange & Logistics business unit.With the associated realignment, ACBL is now comprised of three uniquely integrated strategic business units (SBU): Dry Cargo, Liquid Cargo and Interchange & Logistics.A veteran of the transportation and supply chain sector, Gard brings extensive experience in building and deploying technology to enhance traditional transportation models.

Jeffersonville, Ind. based American Commercial Barge Line (ACBL) announced it has signed a contract with Bayou La Batre, Ala. shipbuilder Steiner Construction Company for the design and construction of a new EPA Tier 4 retractable towboat.“Investing in our future is a key part of ACBL’s strategy. We are proud to introduce the first Tier 4 Mitsubishi engines to the marine industry,” said Mike Ellis, CEO,  ACBL. “The addition of this new Tier 4 retractable towboat represents our…

The city of Jeffersonville, Ind. announced plans are underway to redevelop the shuttered site of one of the nation’s oldest, largest and best-known inland shipbuilders.The city said it is working with the property's owner American Commercial Barge Line (ACBL) to develop a master plan for the 80-acre site along the Ohio Riverfront that was once home to Jeffboat. The southern Indiana shipyard was founded in the 1800s and served as one of Jeffersonville's largest employers until it shut down in 2018 amid a national slowdown in barge construction.As part of an agreement with ACBL…

Rarely does a vessel come along with the potential to radically change the way an industry operates, but one such vessel is set to hit the water in 2023.This new vessel, a towboat named Hydrogen One, is being developed by Louisiana-based Maritime Partners, the largest lessor of marine equipment in the U.S. It will be the first of its kind globally to run on emissions-reducing methanol-to-hydrogen generator technology—no diesel propulsion on board—as the maritime industry continues…

Jeffersonville, Ind.-headquartered marine transportation company American Commercial Barge Line (ACBL) is expected to operate Hydrogen One, a first-of-its-kind towboat that will run on emissions-reducing methanol-to-hydrogen generator technology—without diesel propulsion.The groundbreaking vessel is being developed by Louisiana-based Maritime Partners, the U.S.' largest lessor of marine equipment, and will be built by Intracoastal Iron Works in Bourg, La. for launch in 2023 as…

Jeffersonville, Ind.-based barging company American Commercial Barge Line (ACBL) said it has been cleared of any fault related to the 2008 Mel Oliver collision and resulting oil spill on the Mississippi River.The announcement comes after more than 13 years of legal proceedings and is the result of a settlement agreement reached on November 18, 2021, with the U.S. Department of Justice and the State of Louisiana regarding the case.It was determined that fault for the collision and resulting oil spill belongs to Harvey…

U.S. inland barge transportation company American Commercial Barge Line (ACBL) has named Mike Ellis as the company’s new chief executive officer and a member of its board of directors, effective August 17, 2020.Ellis will take the helm following ACBL's recently completed Chapter 11 recapitalization and restructuring, succeeding retiring president and CEO Mark Knoy, who has led the company since 2011.“Following a thorough search, we are delighted to welcome Mike Ellis as ACBL’s new CEO…

Oceaneering International announced Monday that it has taken delivery of a newbuild subsea construction support vessel, Ocean Evolution, built by BAE Systems in the US.The US-flagged, Jones Act-compliant multi-service vessel (MSV) has completed sea trials and received all necessary ABS and U.S. Coast Guard certifications and is currently in Port Fourchon, La., completing final outfitting and preparing for project work scheduled to begin in June.Oceaneering said the vessel is designed…

Bollinger Shipyards, Inc., Lockport, La., announced that Scott Theriot will assume the newly developed position of Vice President, Business Development. Mike Ellis, Bollinger’s executive vice president and chief operating officer said, “In order to position our business for the increasing demand from our customers in both the commercial and government sectors, we have created a new position focused on business development in our new construction markets. Over the past 17 years, Scott has served various positions within the Bollinger organization and has most recently managed the New Construction Business growth to its current levels--all of which make him a perfect fit for this new position.

Bollinger Shipyards, Inc., has completed a major conversion of the Crescent Towing tug, NED FERRY that transformed the boat from a single engine vessel with 3500 HP, to a twin-engine vessel with 4,000 HP. It is the third of eight Crescent Towing 105-foot sister ships to undergo the same upgrades and modifications at Bollinger Algiers LLC, the New Orleans based repair and conversion shipyard facility. Her old engine was replaced with two Caterpillar 3512B engines coupled to Reintjes WAF673 reduction gears driving 83-inch Bollinger stainless steel propellers. They were installed in 84-inch type 37 kort nozzles with stainless steel inner rings and leading and trailing edges.

Bollinger Shipyards, Inc., has completed a major conversion of the Crescent Towing tug, Ned Ferry that transformed the boat from a single engine vessel with 3,500 hp, to a twin-engine vessel with 4,000 hp. It is the third of eight Crescent Towing 105-ft. (32 m) sister ships to undergo the same upgrades and modifications at Bollinger Algiers LLC, the New Orleans based repair and conversion shipyard facility. Ned Ferry's old engine was replaced with a pair of Caterpillar 3512B engines coupled to Reintjes WAF673 reduction gears driving 83-in. Bollinger stainless steel propellers. They were installed in 84-in. type 37 kort nozzles with stainless steel inner rings and leading and trailing edges.

Danny R. Irby has joined Bollinger as executive vice-president, new construction responsible for all aspects of construction of new boats, barges and other specialized vessels and equipment, commercial and government. “Danny’s leadership and proven ability to successfully perform in all aspects of the new construction business makes him a great addition to our team as we continue our efforts to increase our business,” said Mike Ellis, Bollinger executive vice-president and chief operating officer.

Maritime Reporter recently spent some time with Mike Ellis, Executive VP and COO of Bollinger Shipyards, Inc., to discuss offshore market business trends and the future direction of one of the nation's elite marine construction companies. Q: What is the significance of the Offshore Market to Bollinger? A: The offshore market is very significant to Bollinger Shipbuilding. In addition to the 12 facilities that perform repair services on the offshore supply vessel markets, our new construction facilities build OSVs and other related equipment. When the offshore market is slow, it creates significant idle capacity in our industry which in turn makes for a difficult market for shipyards. Q: What percentage of your business is related to the offshore business?

Lockheed Martin Corporation - Maritime Systems & Sensors, Moorestown, N.J. ($46,501,821) and General Dynamics - Bath Iron Works, Bath, Maine ($78,798,188) are each being awarded contract options for final system design with options for detail design and construction of up to two Flight 0 Littoral Combat Ships (LCS). "Today's Littoral Combat Ship decision represents an important milestone for the warfighter and the acquisition team," said John Young, assistant secretary of the Navy for research, development and acquisition. Operational experience and analyses indicate that potential adversaries will employ asymmetric capabilities to deny U.S. and allied forces access in critical coastal regions to include strategic chokepoints and vital economic sea lanes.

The long-awaited awarding of the contract to construct the new series of Littoral Combat Ships (LCS), a series that could total 60 ships worth $14 billion over 15 years, will have to wait just a little longer. However, the U.S. Navy in late May did pare the competition to two, with teams headed by General Dynamics - Bath Iron Works and Lockheed Martin Corporation - Maritime Systems & Sensors tapped to continue construction plans. LCS has generated fierce competition among the few remaining, large corporate entities that dominate the military markets today. While General Dynamics ($78,798,188) and Lockheed Martin Corporation — Maritime Systems & Sensors ($46…

Bollinger Shipyards, Inc., Lockport, La., will relocate its research and development engineering office from Slidell, La., and shift the Bollinger high-speed vessels group from Lockport, to the James Business Park in St. Rose, La., in October 2004. Mike Ellis, Bollinger executive vice-president and chief operating officer said, "This new location in St. Rose will not only help us better serve our current shipyards from a design and engineering standpoint, but it will also help us attract potential employees to fill our future growth plans. The Slidell research and development office, Bollinger Northshore Engineering, about 45 miles east of the new facility, opened about five years ago. It creates and develops innovative design solutions for commercial and government clients.

Seacor Madison, the first of three 207-ft., 4,750 bhp supply boats, was delivered to Seacor Marine, Inc., from Bollinger Shipyards, Inc. This delivery will be followed by two others of Seacor's new President Class offshore support vessels (OSV), the Seacor Washington and Seacor Jefferson. The boats are part of Bollinger's new 220 Class OSVs, vessels designed to raise versatility and cargo carrying capacity, while lowering operating costs. Bollinger's COO explains. "For example, the Seacor Madison can carry 6,223 barrels of liquid mud and has 6,000 cu. Ft. of storage for dry bulk mud," said Mike Ellis, chief operating officer of Bollinger. "Combine these capacities usually found in OSVs from 220-240 ft. with the lower operating costs of a 207-ft.

Bollinger Shipyards Lockport, La., has delivered the Seacor Madison, the first of three 207-ft., 4750 BHP supply boats to Seacor Marine, Inc., Houston, Tex. It will be followed by two others of Seacor’s new President Class offshore support vessels (OSV), the SEACOR WASHINGTON and SEACOR JEFFERSON. The boats are part of Bollinger’s new 220 Class OSVs that are designed to provide more cargo capacities, more versatility, more options and lower operating costs than larger vessels. “For example,” said Mike Ellis, chief operating officer of Bollinger, “the SEACOR MADISON can carry 6,223 barrels of liquid mud and has 6,000 cubic feet of storage for dry bulk mud.

Trumpeting the strength of combining leaders in systems engineering, mid-market shipbuilding and naval architecture, officials from Lockheed Martin, Gibbs & Cox, Bollinger Shipyards and Marinette Marine today announced a teaming effort to capture the Navy's Littoral Combat Ship program. The Navy considers LCS its most transformational effort and number one budget priority. "In the process of creating this team, we carefully considered all of the innovative and unique requirements the Navy needs in this new ship," said Fred Moosally, president of Lockheed Martin's Naval Electronics & Surveillance Systems. Lockheed Martin will be the prime contractor, with Gibbs & Cox, Bollinger Shipyards and Marinette Marine sharing significant roles as principal team members.