Brownwater
ABS, Vanderbilt analyze decarbonization strategies for inland waterways
(HOUSTON) — The American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) and Vanderbilt University have published a landmark report analyzing decarbonization strategies for U.S. inland waterways. "Decarbonization of the Inland Waterway Sector in the United States" evaluates the potential for possible future propulsion…
Port NOLA resumes containership operations nine days after Ida
(NEW ORLEANS) – Container vessel operations resumed Tuesday at the Port of New Orleans, just nine days after Hurricane Ida made landfall in southeast Louisiana as a Category 4 storm. The first two ships worked the Napoleon Avenue Container Terminal,…
Coast Guard opens Lower Mississippi to all vessel traffic after hurricane
(NEW ORLEANS) — The Coast Guard captain of the port for New Orleans, Capt. Will Watson, on Friday opened the Lower Mississippi River to all vessel traffic in New Orleans and key ports throughout southeast Louisiana following Hurricane Ida. After…
Brownwater News August 2021
One dead after Texas tour boat capsizes during storm One person died and another was injured after a tour boat capsized during a thunderstorm on Lake Conroe near Houston, Texas. The 60-passenger double-decker Lake Conroe Queen rolled over at about 2015 on Aug. 14, according to a…
MarAd designates new Marine Highway, six new projects
(WASHINGTON) — The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration (MarAd) on Thursday announced the designation of six new Marine Highway projects and a new Marine Highway route as part of the America’s Marine Highway Program (AMHP). The AMHP encourages the…
AWO presents annual tankering safety award to Arcosa Marine
(ARLINGTON, Va.) — Last week, the American Waterways Operators' (AWO) Tankering and Barge Operations Subcommittee presented AWO affiliate member Arcosa Marine Products with the subcommittee's second annual safety award. Arcosa received this award for the design and construction of its…
Brownwater News July, 2021
U.S.-flagged cruise ship aground in Lake Barkley Salvage efforts are ongoing to free a cruise ship that ran aground in Lake Barkley, within the Cumberland River, near the Kentucky town of Cadiz. Donjon-SMIT is leading the effort to refloat American Jazz, which became…
Conrad to build two Damen Multi Cats for Great Lakes Dredge & Dock
(HOUSTON) — Damen Shipyards Group has concluded a license agreement with Conrad Industries, allowing the construction of two Damen Multi Cats 3013 for Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Corp. The two vessels covered by this agreement will be the first…
AWO video highlights industry's commitment to environmental sustainability
(ARLINGTON, Va.) — The American Waterways Operators (AWO) has produced a video highlighting the tugboat, towboat and barge industry's commitment to, and progress toward, environmental sustainability. The video notes that marine transportation is already the most environmentally friendly method of…
Severe weather led to barge breakaway, damage to Texas bridge
(WASHINGTON) — Severe rainfall and flooding from Tropical Storm Imelda led to barges breaking away from their moorings and striking the Interstate 10 bridge in Channelview, Texas, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) said in Marine Accident Brief 21/14 released…
Brownwater News June 2021
AWO elects Illinois Marine Towing’s Del Wilkins as chairman Membership of the American Waterways Operators (AWO) has selected Del Wilkins as its new chairman. Wilkins, the president of Illinois Marine Towing, was among a slate of new leaders elected to lead the national…
Runaway barge hits spillway, closes Stennis Lock on Tenn-Tom
(COLUMBUS, Miss.) — A barge accident early Thursday morning closed the John C. Stennis Lock and Dam in Columbus, increasing the potential of flooding between the lock and Aberdeen Lock on the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway (Tenn-Tom), the Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal…
AWO elects Illinois Marine Towing's Del Wilkins as chairman
(ARLINGTON, Va.) — The members of the American Waterways Operators (AWO), the national tugboat, towboat and barge industry association, elected a new slate of leaders last week during the association's Spring Board of Directors/Annual Membership Meeting. Del Wilkins, president of…
Bridge closure delays more than 200 barges on Lower Mississippi
(NEW ORLEANS) — The U.S. Coast Guard lifted the waterway restriction from mile marker 736 to mile marker 737 on the Mississippi River on Friday in the vicinity of the I-40 bridge in Memphis, Tenn. The waterway is now open…
Brownwater News April 2021
Engineers give inland waterways infrastructure grade of D+ Shipping delays caused by deteriorating infrastructure on the nation’s inland waterways cost up to $739 per hour for an average tow, according to the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), which gave…
SAFETY ALERT: Readiness and testing of emergency dewatering equipment
(WASHINGTON) — Emergency dewatering equipment, whether fixed or portable, is essential equipment placed on vessels to maintain the survivability and safety of personnel during emergencies that may require its use. When there is a situation requiring the use of emergency…
Brownwater News March 2021
AWO offers assistance for mariner vaccinations The American Waterways Operators (AWO) is making a letter available to its members to assist eligible mariners and other essential industry employees when they visit COVID-19 vaccination centers across the country. The letter verifies…
Brownwater News February 2021
Coast Guard confirms mask mandate for towing industry In a Feb. 8 post on its Maritime Commons website, the U.S. Coast Guard confirmed that a recent order by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) requires that operators of…
Coalition calls for emergency funding for US maritime transportation system
(WASHINGTON) — A coalition of 37 maritime industry groups is asking Congress and President Biden to fund a new relief program to strengthen an industry weakened by the effects of COVID-19, FreightWaves.com reported. “Despite container surges at several large ports,…
Southern Towing announces acquisition of Devall Towing
(CHICAGO) — Southern Towing Company (STC), an affiliate of CC Industries (CCI), has acquired Devall Towing from the Devall family. Founded in 1952, Devall is a towboat and barge operator for specialty chemicals along the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway and Lower…
Coast Guard Foundation names Thomas Allegretti board chairman
(STONINGTON, Conn.) — The Coast Guard Foundation, a nonprofit organization committed to strengthening the Coast Guard community and service by supporting members and families, announced that Thomas Allegretti was elected chairman of the board as of Jan. 7. Allegretti first…
US maritime leaders applaud Biden's 'Buy American' order
(WASHINGTON) — The American Maritime Partnership (AMP), the voice of the nation’s domestic maritime industry, on Monday applauded the new executive order to be signed by President Biden on Jan. 25, “Strengthening ‘Buy American’ Provisions, Ensuring [the] Future of America…
Congress passes WRDA with inland waterways cost-share adjustment
(WASHINGTON) — As part of an omnibus appropriations and COVID-19 relief funding package, the House and Senate passed the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2020 on Monday, marking a historic win for the inland waterways. The package included the…
