Editor’s Note
America's sprawling network of inland waterways, ports and harbors is a key component of the nation’s economic foundation. Crucial commodities and supplies are floated on barges, pushed by towboats and transported to points around the United States and beyond. And while this system is so vital, much of its infrastructure has long been neglected and is in desperate need of repair.
Consider this: the Melvin Price Locks and Dam—which I recently had the opportunity to visit in Alton, Ill. —is among the newest and most technologically advanced in the country, and it is more than 30 years old! It's no secret that much of the United States’ aging lock and dam infrastructure badly needs modernization improvements to help commerce flow more efficiently.
One group advocating for a modern, efficient and well-maintained inland waterways system is the Waterways Council Inc. (organizers of my recent Alton trip), whose president and CEO, Tracy Zea, this month writes of the recent positive developments toward system modernization. He highlights real progress being made toward upgrading American river infrastructure—a win for the United States' maritime industry and economy.
The industry is also seeing progress toward safer, cleaner and more efficient vessel operations. July 19, 2022 marked the end of the four-year Subchapter M certificate of inspection (COI) phase-in period for U.S.-registered towing vessels. All of the U.S.' 5,000-plus domestic towing vessels must now have valid COIs on board in order to operate commercially. Rear Adm. Ann Phillips, USN (Ret.), Administrator, U.S. Maritime Administration (MARAD) said the regulations will "improve safety for U.S. mariners while helping ensure the sustainable and efficient operation of the tugboats, towing vessels, and barges essential to commerce on our nation's waterways."
A group of industry partners is pushing the bounds of efficiency and sustainability even further through the development of a first-of-it-kind towboat that will run on a methanol-to-hydrogen fuel cell power system. The cleaner-burning vessel will reduce emissions while boosting efficiency, but the partners behind the project say even more benefits will be unlocked. Read more in this edition's cover story on the groundbreaking Hydrogen One.
