The Waterways Journal

06/15/2026

From founding Women in Maritime Operations Association to launching a growing marine transportation company, Kasey Eckstein and Jenna Gaudet continue building opportunities in the maritime industry. The addition of the mv. Tarps marks the next step in ET&T’s expansion as the company pursues larger projects and fleet growth.

The mv. Tarps marks a new chapter for Eckstein Trade & Transport as the company continues growing its fleet and...

06/14/2026

In this historical column, Capt. David Smith examines the story of the dredge Oregon, operated by the Port of Portland. Built in 1943 as a Mississippi River towboat and converted into a dredge in 1965, the vessel remains active today.

A World War II-era towboat built for the war effort may still be operating today as the dredge Oregon at the Port of Portland.

06/13/2026

The U.S. dredging sector continues to expand, with major investments in new vessels, port infrastructure and navigation projects. Highlights include Manson Construction Co.’s new hopper dredge Frederick Paup, Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Company, LLC’s Amelia Island and the Corps’ new Dredge Donnelly, now under construction.

New dredges, deeper channels and major port projects are expanding capacity across the U.S. maritime sector.

06/12/2026

Customer relationships and operational flexibility have fueled significant growth for Matthews Brothers Dredging. The company has expanded from a single major customer in 2016 to nearly 70 today, while growing its workforce and fleet to support recurring maintenance dredging projects along the Gulf Coast.

Matthews Brothers Dredging credits customer relationships and operational flexibility for its continued growth along the Gulf Coast.

06/10/2026

included two opening keynotes and 12 education sessions. Check out our photo coverage ➡️

Save the Date for , May 11-13 in Nashville. The Inland Marine Expo is designed specifically for the inland & intracoastal marine transportation industry.

06/08/2026

The maritime industry's "3 R's" remain in focus: retire, replace and resurge.

The 2026 IRR Barge Fleet Profile highlights an aging inland barge fleet, rising construction costs and continued pressure to invest in modernization as operators balance economic challenges with future transportation demands.

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, but replacements have lagged, with no expansion or resurge. The annual survey of barge operators revealed that the 2025 fleet totaled ...

06/07/2026

A new installment of Capt. David Smith’s historic vessel series looks back at the Arthur J. Dyer, the 1,000th vessel built by Nashville Bridge Company and one of the most notable towboats launched in 1951.

Named for NABRICO founder Arthur J. Dyer, the vessel served the Ingram fleet for more than three decades before being lost to a fire in 1986.

Capt. David Smith revisits the story of the Arthur J. Dyer, a milestone vessel named for Nashville Bridge Company founder Arthur J. Dyer.

06/06/2026

The mv. Cabby H. Boone has joined the Canal Barge Company fleet. Built by C & C Marine and Repair, the vessel is the third in a four-boat series featuring Tier 4 Mitsubishi engines and a standardized propulsion and power package designed to improve operational consistency across the fleet.

Canal Barge LLC has added the mv. Cabby H. Boone, the third vessel in a four-boat series honoring members of the Huger family.

06/05/2026

𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘞𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘸𝘢𝘺𝘴 𝘑𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘯𝘢𝘭 continues its recognition of the 2026 Inland Marine Expo 40 Under 40 honorees, highlighting emerging leaders helping shape the future of the inland waterways industry.

This week's recipients are Taylor Abbott of the Ohio River Commission, Brock Bailey of American River Transportation Company, Jace Barrios of Enterprise Marine Services and John Best of Ingram Barge Company.

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 to the inland marine transportation industry in a variety of fields. All 40 honorees were nominated by e...

06/03/2026

attendees and exhibitors: Don't forget to complete our event survey. Check your inbox for the survey link and help us shape next year's event.

Surveys close on Friday, June 5.