Mississippi River Commission News

As 2022 moves into its final months, low water levels and drought form the basis of the news impacting inland waterways operators and barge companies. In the first week of October, numerous barges were reported grounded in the Mississippi River, particularly south of Baton Rouge. This has consequences: barge rates jumped 218% in St. Louis, compared to 2021.Low water was so severe that on October 7 Ingram Barge CEO John Roberts issued a force majeure notice (force majeure - unforeseeable…

Digging out the small ports and harbors that serve as the on-ramps to the maritime super highway is important work. We support the WRDA language that makes our water commerce system work productively. The Presidentially-appointed Mississippi River Commission in its public meetings alongside the members of Big River Coalition and the MVFCA has heard from interests, discussed and supported this approach for more than five years. Our navigation infrastructure must be fully maintained or the efficiencies offered by the inland navigation system…

Insights: Edward E. Belk -  Chief, Operations and Regulatory Division Directorate of Civil Works, U.S. Edward E. Belk, Jr. currently serves as the Chief of Operations and Regulatory Division for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at Corps Headquarters in Washington, D.C. He also provides leadership and oversight for activities and programs within the Corps’ Lakes and Rivers and North Atlantic Regional Integration Teams. Selected by the Secretary of the Army into the Senior Executive Service in May 2012, Mr. Belk provides national oversight of the development, resourcing and delivery of Operations and Maintenance (O&M) programs for the Civil Works infrastructure portfolio and for Corps operational programs such as hydroelectric power…

Leadership from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the U.S. Coast Guard and the inland towing industry signed a memorandum of understanding today, designed to ensure consistent communications and support efficient and safe movement of commerce on the western rivers of the United States. The memorandum, signed by Jim Guidry (Kirby Inland Marine LP and RIETF co-chairman), Rear Admiral June E. Ryan (commander of the 9th Coast Guard District), Rear Admiral David R. Callahan (commander of the 8th Coast Guard District), Major General Michael C.

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Coast Guard, Barge Industry and Shipping Industry Representatives Hold Press Conference to Address Ongoing Mississippi River Navigation Concerns Due to Continued Drought and Low Water Conditions. Representatives of the barge and shipping industries, along with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and U.S. Coast Guard, held a press conference on the Mississippi River near St. Louis to address navigation and shipping concerns, as well as government-industry cooperation in managing the Mississippi River during continued drought and low water conditions.

By Ed Voigt, U.S. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers oldest dredge is now also one of its youngest. The dustpan dredge Potter, the Corps last and longest-serving steam-powered dredge, helped keep the Mississippi River open to navigation for almost 70 years. Now she is back home at the St. Louis District Service Base after a $20 million repowering project by the district and the Corps' Marine Design Center (MDC). Halter Marine, Inc., of Gulfport, Miss, was the contractor. She departed Halter's New Orleans shipyard Sept. 29 with the same overall profile (minus smokestacks) and capabilities, but with an all-new stern and a diesel-electric power plant. Named for Brig. Gen.

Dock, at mile 53 on the Houma Navigation Canal. communities along the Mississippi River. August 11 in St. Paul, Minn. directly address their views to members of the Commission. through Old River Lock to reach the Atchafalaya River. Waterway.