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.

Building on Legacy, WJ Expands Access In 140th Volume

June 16, 2026

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 the inland and intracoastal waterways… Read More

Built To Help Win A War More Than 80 Years Ago And Still Working The Str. Guam new at Marietta Manufacturing Company from an ad in the August 20, 1949, WJ. (Photo from the author’s collection)

The Str. Guam new at Marietta Manufacturing Company from an ad in the August 20, 1949, WJ. (Photo from the author’s collection)

Built To Help Win A War More Than 80 Years Ago And Still Working

June 12, 2026

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… Read More

FreightWeekSTL Group Tours Mel Price Lock And Dam

June 12, 2026

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… Read More

Laborde Products Expands With 5R Enterprises

Representatives of Laborde Products and 5R Enterprises marked a new dealer agreement during the Inland Marine Expo (IMX) in Nashville, Tenn. Under the agreement, 5R Enterprises will serve as a Laborde Products dealer for the Midwest region, expanding support and service capabilities for inland marine operators. Pictured, from left, are Jared Legendre, vice president of sales for Laborde Products; Jacob Yoder, dealer development manager for Laborde Products; Chad Cailteux, owner of 5R Enterprises; and Jeff Caspary, territory sales manager for 5R Enterprises. (Photo by Zac Metcalf)

Laborde Products Expands With 5R Enterprises

June 12, 2026

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… Read More

Corpus Christi: Security Zones For Hazardous Transport

June 12, 2026

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)… Read More

Panelists Provide Insight On Workforce Development Representatives of We Work The Waterways and Maritime Throwdown gathered at the Inland Marine Expo (IMX) in Nashville, Tenn., following the signing of a memorandum of understanding formalizing a partnership aimed at advancing workforce development, maritime education and career awareness throughout the inland waterways industry.

Representatives of We Work The Waterways and Maritime Throwdown gathered at the Inland Marine Expo (IMX) in Nashville, Tenn., following the signing of a memorandum of understanding formalizing a partnership aimed at advancing workforce development, maritime education and career awareness throughout the inland waterways industry.

Panelists Provide Insight On Workforce Development

June 12, 2026

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… Read More

Wilkinson Assumes Command Of Coast Guard’s MSU Paducah Lt. Cmdr. Daniel Wilkinson, incoming commander of the Coast Guard’s Marine Safety Unit Paducah (left), and Capt. Randy Preston, commander of Coast Guard Sector Ohio Valley (center), salute each other during the change of command ceremony as outgoing commander Cmdr. Sheu Bello (right) looks on.

Lt. Cmdr. Daniel Wilkinson, incoming commander of the Coast Guard’s Marine Safety Unit Paducah (left), and Capt. Randy Preston, commander of Coast Guard Sector Ohio Valley (center), salute each other during the change of command ceremony as outgoing commander Cmdr. Sheu Bello (right) looks on.

Wilkinson Assumes Command Of Coast Guard’s MSU Paducah

June 12, 2026

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… Read More

Maritime Throwdown Nears Decade Mark Michael Kirk of Ingram Barge Company competes in a line-handling event during the Maritime Throwdown Finals at the Inland Marine Expo (IMX) in Nashville, Tenn. Kirk demonstrated his rope-handling skills as IMX attendees gathered around the competition arena to watch the action. (Photos courtesy of ECN Photography)

Michael Kirk of Ingram Barge Company competes in a line-handling event during the Maritime Throwdown Finals at the Inland Marine Expo (IMX) in Nashville, Tenn. Kirk demonstrated his rope-handling skills as IMX attendees gathered around the competition arena to watch the action. (Photos courtesy of ECN Photography)

Maritime Throwdown Nears Decade Mark

June 12, 2026

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… Read More

Eckstein Trade & Transport Welcomes The Mv. Tarps

The mv. Tarps, the first vessel owned by Houston-based Eckstein Trade & Transport (ET&T), at Diversified Marine Michigan in Holland, Mich., following delivery. Built by Diversified Marine, the truckable tug is powered by twin 305-hp. Cummins engines and was constructed to support marine construction and transportation projects. The vessel is named in honor of Tracey Tarpey, ET&T’s first employee. (Photos courtesy of Diversified Marine)

Eckstein Trade & Transport Welcomes The Mv. Tarps

June 12, 2026

Eckstein Trade & Transport (ET&T), a certified women-owned small brokerage business based in Houston, Texas, recently took delivery of its first tug, the mv. Tarps. Built by Diversified… Read More

OpenTug, Telegraph Partner To Link Barge, Rail Visibility

June 12, 2026

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. Read More