Henry Gerrets, Affreightment Project Manager for Canal Barge, was honored with the Outstanding Supplier Award from the United Space Alliance (USA) for the safe and efficient management of external fuel tank moves from Michoud, LA to Cape Canaveral, FL. Canal Barge has managed these moves since 1989, and Henry has worked on them since 1997.

According to USA, “Throughout the often difficult circumstances and uncertain schedules, Henry has been steadfast in assuring tug support for the transportation of the external fuel tanks and has played a critical role in making on-time deliveries.” CBC is proud of Henry for receiving this recognition. Henry Gerrets was one of two suppliers chosen for this award out of over 2,500 vendors.

On May 11, 2009, Henry Gerrets represented the United Space Alliance at the launch of the Space Shuttle Atlantis.

On March 16-17, 2009, Canal Barge hosted Board Member Deborah Hersman of the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). Ms. Hersman was joined by her assistant and counsel, Nancy Lewis, and retired Coast Guard Commander Larry Bowling of the NTSB’s marine investigation staff. Gordon DeFilippo and Peter Evans of Marathon Petroleum as well as Jennifer Carpenter, AWO Senior VP-National Advocacy, joined in the Field Trip that included a comprehensive briefing on issues facing the inland barge and towing industry. The Field Trip was initiated by Ms. Hersman to improve her understanding of the inland barge and towing industry. The group also spent substantial time on the Canal Barge Company towboats MV MARY LUCY LANE and MV LUKE BURTON, providing the NTSB an opportunity to observe the tow building process and a chance to explore the layout of inland river towboats. Ms. Hersman and the NTSB team asked questions regarding industry operations and practices and expressed great respect for the work done by industry professionals.

On Saturday, February 7, 2009, Canal Barge celebrated its 75th Anniversary with a Christening of the MV MARY LUCY LANE followed by a reception at the Blaine Kern Mardi Gras World-East Bank facility. Click here to view the article featured in the March 2, 2009 issue of the Waterways Journal.

On Saturday, December 6, 2008, Canal Barge Company, Inc. celebrated its 75th year in operation! Starting in 1933 with one barge — the first all-steel welded tank barge on the Inland Waterways — we have grown over the years to become one of the premier marine transportation companies in the country. Canal Barge now has over 550 employees, 800 barges and 33 inland towboats and an operation that trades all over the country, offshore and even internationally. Our long-term stability and growth are a result of the leadership, commitment and foresight of so many great people who came before us and the support of our Board of Directors and shareholders. Our company and our people have continuously innovated to take advantage of the opportunities that have been presented over the years.

Canal Barge Company has enjoyed unprecedented growth through the last few years. While we are not interested in growth for growth’s sake, we are always looking for strategic growth opportunities with great business partners who share our vision and values. We are very proud to announce that on September 15, 2008, we acquired 100% of the stock of Illinois Marine Towing. Illinois Marine is the leading independent provider of towing and fleeting services in the Chicago market and provides affreightment, barge cleaning, terminal services and vessel repair and has been a strategically important supplier to CBC for more than two decades. IMT and the management staff’s approach to quality operations and customer service is a perfect fit with the Canal Barge Company business philosophy. Illinois Marine Towing will continue as a wholly owned subsidiary of Canal Barge Company and we warmly welcome all of our associates at IMT to the CBC Family.

At the American Waterways Operators Spring Convention, April 16-18, 2008, Merritt Lane, President and CEO of Canal Barge Company, was elected as AWO Chairman of the Board. In his acceptance speech, Merritt assessed the challenging environment in which the association will be working in the future, emphasizing that AWO has an opportunity and an obligation to work with regulatory entities and ensure that the implementation of new regulations are based on an iterative process with industry professionals. Lane’s term in office as Chairman will last until April 2, 2009 and he will serve as AWO Immediate Past Chairman of the Board for 2009-2010.

Canal Barge Company announced on October 11, 2007 the acquisition and operation of ConocoPhillips’ inland marine fleet based in Sulphur, Louisiana. This acquisition consisted of seven inland towboats and fourteen inland tank barges that operate primarily on the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway (GIWW). Canal Barge management was pleased to have been chosen by ConocoPhillips, as this was a significant growth opportunity for the New Orleans-based company.

The crew of the MV SUSAN L. STALL had the unique experience of hosting Alton Brown, award-winning author and host of some of the Food Network’s most popular shows, on May 3-4, 2007. Brown and his crew were taping a segment on towing industry cuisine for the second part of his yearly series Feasting on Asphalt as they traveled onboard the boat from Hickman, Kentucky to Paducah, Kentucky. The crew of the SUSAN STALL is featured in Episode 4: Take Me to the River.

While onboard, Alton interviewed the crew, was treated to a tour of the boat and tow, and prepared a chicken and dumplings dinner from scratch with boat cook Kathryn Williamson, who has spent eight of her 18 years with Canal Barge aboard the SUSAN STALL. Brown was reportedly both thrilled and nervous when given the opportunity to briefly steer the boat, supervised by Captain Donnie Williams, who commented on the “snake” of a wake behind the tow.

Besides Captain Williams and Kathryn Williamson, the crew onboard the SUSAN STALL during Alton Brown’s visit included Pilot Leo Brunet, Chief Engineer Clay Hill, Mate David Claiborne, Lead Deckhand Curtis Brown, and Deck Crew Richard Evans, Michael Hall, and Corey Rogers. Alton left the boat wearing a CBC Safety cap that he was given by the crew.

Vice President Dick Cheney toured the Canal Barge Company inland towboat M/V MERRICK JONES docked at the Port of New Orleans on October 12, 2006 while discussing the maritime industry and Gulf Coast recovery issues. Vice President Cheney was in New Orleans to assess the state of the city a year after Hurricane Katrina and to visit businesses that have been successful in the post-storm environment.

During his visit, Vice President Cheney learned about life and work aboard a towboat, the importance of the maritime industry, its role in the nation’s economy and the need for continuing investment in the nation’s waterways infrastructure. Canal Barge President and CEO Merritt Lane emphasized the industry’s commitment to homeland security and working closely with the U.S. Coast Guard on regulatory initiatives to enhance the security of the nation’s ports and waterways.