News

Recent inland waterways industry news, covering the Mississippi River, Ohio River, Missouri River, Tennessee River, Gulf Intracoastal Waterway and more. Articles on economic, environmental and logistic advantages of barge shipping, plus other stories pertaining to locks and dams and other waterway infrastructure.

WEDA Executive Director Looks Ahead To 2026 Summit

June 12, 2026

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… Read More

Customer Relationships Drive Matthews Brothers Expansion Matthews Brothers’ Dredging’s MBI-08 dredges in Port Arthur, Texas, using a heavy digging bucket for a capital expansion project. (Photos courtesy of Matthews Brothers Dredging)

Matthews Brothers’ Dredging’s MBI-08 dredges in Port Arthur, Texas, using a heavy digging bucket for a capital expansion project. (Photos courtesy of Matthews Brothers Dredging)

Customer Relationships Drive Matthews Brothers Expansion

June 12, 2026

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… Read More

Dredging Sector Adds Additional Capacity The Amelia Island, the second in a set of hopper dredges built by Conrad Shipyard for GLDD. (Photo courtesy of GLDD)

The Amelia Island, the second in a set of hopper dredges built by Conrad Shipyard for GLDD. (Photo courtesy of GLDD)

Dredging Sector Adds Additional Capacity

June 12, 2026

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… Read More

Conference Highlights Upper Mississippi

June 12, 2026

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… Read More

IMX Session Focuses On Industry Data And Funding WCI president and CEO Tracy Zea and vice president Midwest region Paul Rohde led the construction and infrastructure session during the 2026 Inland Marine Expo in Nashville, Tenn. The session focused on the findings from various studies conducted on the inland waterways system as well as solutions to project delays. (Photo courtesy of ECN Photography)

WCI president and CEO Tracy Zea and vice president Midwest region Paul Rohde led the construction and infrastructure session during the 2026 Inland Marine Expo in Nashville, Tenn. The session focused on the findings from various studies conducted on the inland waterways system as well as solutions to project delays. (Photo courtesy of ECN Photography)

IMX Session Focuses On Industry Data And Funding

June 12, 2026

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… Read More

West Calcasieu Port Expands Footprint The West Calcasieu Port added 172 acres to its property on the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway. (Courtesy of West Calcasieu Port)

The West Calcasieu Port added 172 acres to its property on the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway. (Courtesy of West Calcasieu Port)

West Calcasieu Port Expands Footprint

June 12, 2026

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… Read More

Washington Waves: Waterway News From D. C.

June 12, 2026

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… Read More

WJ Talk: Maritime companies should apply ‘bridge discipline’ to AI governance, attorney says WJ Talk AI Governance Michelle Ramsden

WJ Talk: Maritime companies should apply ‘bridge discipline’ to AI governance, attorney says

June 11, 2026

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… Read More

House Panel Reviews MarAd, FMC Budgets

June 5, 2026

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… Read More

Woodruff Sketches Industry Priorities At IMX

Matt Woodruff, vice president of public and government affairs for Kirby Corporation, delivers opening remarks during the 2026 Inland Marine Expo in Nashville, Tenn. Woodruff discussed key issues affecting the inland waterways industry, including maritime policy, workforce development and the importance of maintaining a strong U.S. merchant marine and domestic shipbuilding base. (Photo courtesy of ECN Photography)

Woodruff Sketches Industry Priorities At IMX

June 5, 2026

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. Read More