Waterways Journal

As The Waterways Journal begins its 140th volume, we are updating our subscription offerings with a clear purpose — to add value for the readers who make independent coverage of …

This article is free for everyone to read. If you find our coverage valuable, please consider subscribing to support our work. For the ninth year, 40 of the industry’s future …

While forecasters with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association’s (NOAA) Climate Prediction Center say to expect a below-normal 2026 hurricane season for the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf, the Coast …

Several sessions of the recently concluded Inland Marine Expo dealt with the perennial topic of workforce recruitment. Jonathan Dunn, senior director of corporate communications at American Commercial Barge Line and …

The Coast Guard published a final rule on May 26 – effective June 26 – announcing it will establish 500-yard security zones around vessels carrying Certain Dangerous Cargo (CDC) transiting …

Laborde Products has added 5R Enterprises, LLC to its dealer network, expanding Mitsubishi marine engine support in the Midwest. Based in Morris, Ill., 5R Enterprises will support commercial marine operators …

Since 2018, FreightWeekSTL has been an annual, week-long conference and event series that highlights the St. Louis bi-state region as a premier global logistics and freight hub. This year it …

Given that the Allied landings on D-Day at Normandy occurred 82 years ago last week and that this is a special dredging issue, it is only fitting that this column …

The Western Dredging Association (WEDA) entered a new chapter earlier this year with the appointment of Stan Ekren as executive director. Ekren assumed the role February 1 following a 43-year …

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers held its annual National Dredge Meeting June 9 to 11 in Norfolk, Va. Topics addressed included safety and logistics, how the Corps is delivering …

OpenTug and Telegraph announced a strategic partnership May 26 designed to give terminal operators, traders and logistics teams a more unified view of freight moving by barge and rail. The …

This article is free for everyone to read. If you find our coverage valuable, please consider subscribing to support our work. Eckstein Trade & Transport (ET&T), a certified women-owned small …

What began as a side project dreamed up in a towboat wheelhouse has grown into one of the inland maritime industry’s most recognizable demonstrations of seamanship, safety and workforce development. …

Lt. Cmdr. Daniel Wilkinson relieved Cmdr. Shehu Bello on June 9 to become the new commanding officer of Marine Safety Unit Paducah, Ky. Capt. Randy Preston, commander of Sector Ohio …

Matthews Brothers Dredging is taking a new approach to dredging in the Houston, Texas, region. With limited availability of dredge disposal areas, the company bought the former Texas Deepwater in …

A $567-million boost for the Maritime Administration (MarAd), $538 million for the Port Infrastructure Development Program and $732 million to support President Donald Trump’s Maritime Action Plan were among key …

The West Calcasieu Port announced on June 3 the purchase of an additional 172 acres of waterfront property along the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway. Funding for the property acquisition was made …

Tracy Zea, president and CEO of Waterways Council, Inc. (WCI), and Paul Rohde, vice president of the Midwest region of WCI, hosted the construction and infrastructure education session May 28 …

The Upper Mississippi Waterway Association will host its first ever Marine Highway 35 Workshop on June 25 in Moline, Ill. The one-day conference at Western Illinois University’s riverfront campus is …

America’s waterways remain one of the nation’s greatest economic assets, carrying the commodities and products that support agriculture, manufacturing, energy production and international trade. Maintaining that system requires a sustained …

Dredging continues to expand and modernize in the United States and throughout the world. In the United States, the government manages the nation’s navigable waterways as a valuable and economical …

As artificial intelligence becomes more common across maritime operations and business functions, companies should approach AI governance much like they approach vessel operations, according to Michelle Ramsden, special counsel at …

Ever flowing, ever changing, waterborne commerce has remained central to the American experience throughout its nearly 250-year history. The United States exists as a unified nation in large part because …

The U.S. House Committee on Transportation & Infrastructure Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Subcommittee hearing June 3 involved FY 2027 budget development for the Maritime Administration (MarAd) and the Federal …

In recent columns we have looked at vessels built by the Nashville Bridge Company (NABRICO) since the popular Inland Marine Expo (IMX) was held May 27–29 in Nashville, Tenn. First …

The U.S. Inland Mariner Wellness Assessment, released in January 2026 by the Seamen’s Church Institute (SCI) in partnership with the Yale School of Medicine, offers one of the most comprehensive …

In its latest announcement on extending credentials, the National Maritime Center (NMC) said it is expanding the existing extension policy outlined in Update #3: Mitigation Efforts – Extensions, dated April …

The 3 R’s of the inland barge fleet have been a theme for more than a year: retire, replace and resurge the fleet. The industry has moved forward with retirements, …

Canal Barge LLC took delivery of the third of four sister vessels April 26 from C&C Marine Repair of Belle Chasse, La., and the word sister is key. President and …

Ever flowing, ever changing, waterborne commerce has remained central to the American experience throughout its nearly 250-year history. The United States exists as a unified nation in large part because …

Logistic Services Inc. (LSI) announced the acquisition of all assets of Five Rivers Distribution, LLC (Five Rivers) June 2, strengthening LSI’s inland waterways operations and expanding its presence on the …

For the ninth year, 40 of the industry’s future leaders were honored at the Inland Marine Expo with the “40 Under 40” award, which recognizes individuals for their outstanding contributions …

Remarking that now is a pivotal time within the industry, Matt Woodruff’s opening statements at the recently concluded Inland Marine Expo (IMX) in Nashville, Tenn., drew some attention. Woodruff, longtime …

The American Maritime Partnership (AMP), the voice of the domestic maritime industry, has announced a new national campaign calling on President Donald J. Trump to end the ongoing and unprecedented …

Canal Barge Company has repowered the mv. Hallie M. Merrick with Tier 3 Mitsubishi engines. The work was completed recently at Sterling Shipyard with support from Laborde Products. The twin …

This article is free for everyone to read. If you find our coverage valuable, please consider subscribing to support our work. The ceremony recognized Barnett’s 26-year career with Blessey Marine, …

On May 15, Conrad Industries reported quarterly results for the first quarter of 2026. For the quarter ending March 31, the company reported net income of $3.2 million and income …

Association leaders said the system has faced consecutive infrastructure problems since last year’s meeting. After Demopolis Lock reopened following the failure of the upper miter gate sill, Holt Lock became …

The House Appropriations Committee marked up and passed the Fiscal Year (FY) 2027 Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies appropriations bill May 20. The bill includes approximately $9.8 billion …

This article is free for everyone to read. If you find our coverage valuable, please consider subscribing to support our work. MobileOps and Baron Weather have announced a strategic partnership …

While researching last week’s column, Capt. Jeff Yates sent me some material that brought two other towboats that had been built by the Nashville Bridge Company (NABRICO) to mind. These …

President Donald Trump marked National Maritime Day by honoring mariners and recommitting to restoring and expanding America’s maritime dominance. “Today, that mission is more vital than ever,” the president said …

Ken Eriksen, managing member of Polaris Analytics and Consulting, delivered the recommendations of a unified marketing plan that Polaris developed for the Louisiana Ports and Waterways Investment Commission May 14. …

This article is free for everyone to read. If you find our coverage valuable, please consider subscribing to support our work. A recent deal for The Kearny Companies to lease …

The Detroit Engineer district announced May 21 that it has awarded a design services contract for the Brandon Road Interbasin Project in Illinois. The district awarded Black & Veatch-Stantec BRIP …

There have been a total of 61 Jones Act waivers reported by MarAd that can be viewed in brief at https://www.waterwaysjournal.net/2026/05/01/jones-act-waivers-reported-by-marad/ as of May 22. Additional details for each can …

​The House Appropriations Committee marked up and passed the Fiscal Year (FY) 2027 Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies appropriations bill May 20. The bill includes approximately $9.8 billion …

Kirby Corporation announced net earnings attributable to Kirby for the first quarter ending March 31, 2026, of $81.2 million, or $1.50 per share, compared with earnings of $76.0 million, or …

This article is free for everyone to read. If you find our coverage valuable, please consider subscribing to support our work. The Paducah Propeller Club celebrated National Maritime Day with …

MOU To Be Signed By We Work The Waterways, Maritime Throwdown The opening evening of the Inland Marine Expo May 27 in Nashville, Tenn., features demonstrations by Maritime Throwdown. Later …