Exports Leading Way For Grain, Coal

Despite the continuing economic slump at home and in Europe, rising prosperity and demand in overseas markets, especially Asia, are fueling an export boom in the U.S. that is reshaping our economy and movements on our transportation network—including the waterways. That makes funding improvements to them more critical than ever, said speakers at the Inland Rivers Ports & Terminals conference in St. Louis, Mo., on May 1-4.
read more

GNOBFA Celebrates 30th Anniversary Of Growth, Service

The annual seminar of the Greater New Orleans Barge Fleeting Association (GNOBFA) drew a record crowd of more than 450 people, who consumed more than 100 New Orleans “king” cakes on the first morning alone. So many attended that for the first day’s events, screens had to be set up in a “satellite room” for the overflow crowd. It was a satisfying tribute for the event’s 30th anniversary, held as usual at the InterContinental Hotel in New Orleans on April 25-27.
read more

Corps Speeds Up Carp Plan Release

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced May 8 that it would speed up the release of its report on ways of protecting the Great Lakes against Asian carp and other invasive species to 2013, two years earlier than previously announced. The report, called the Great Lakes Mississippi River Interbasin Study (GLMRIS), will include preliminary estimated costs and mitigation requirements for each protective option.
read more

Phase 2 Of Bridging Program Begins July 1

The Coast Guard announced May 8 that it will begin Phase 2 of the Towing Vessel Bridging Program July 1. Phase 2 consists of conducting prioritized examinations aboard towing vessels that have not undergone voluntary examination during Phase 1.
read more

Corps Cuts Ouachita-Black Lock Services

Is the federal government preparing to decommission the navigation system on the Ouachita and Black rivers?
read more

WJ Editorial: Failure To Fund Lock Maintenance Spells Trouble
more info