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Towboats delivered into strong US market
US Shipyards have completed several pusher vessels to support barge transport on the nation’s main rivers and waterways as demand picks up and owners modernise their fleets
Pusher tugs and towboat owners in the Americas have ordered, and taken delivery of, vessels to transport commodities on barges along inland waterways with the latest designs, engines and aftertreatment systems, rated to minimise emissions and their environmental footprint.
In North America, Hines Furlong Line is on a roll with newbuild deliveries, on the back of its acquisition of Campbell Transportation’s inland waterways division in January 2026.
The Nashville, Tennessee-headquartered owner took delivery of towboat Oxford from Intracoastal Iron Works in Bourg, Louisiana, in January, the third vessel of an 11-vessel construction programme.
It is powered by three Mitsubishi S6R2 main engines, each complying with US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Tier 3 emissions standards, and rated at 600 kW at 1,400 rpm, plus it has three 65-kW generators, all supplied by Laborde Products.
Eymard Marine Construction & Repair Inc delivered two similar towboats to Hines Furlong from its shipyard in Harvey, Louisiana, the third and fourth of an 11-vessel newbuilding series.
Sun Valley and Sawtooth were both built to an Entech design, and have two Mitsubishi S6R2 Tier 3 twin-screw engines for propulsion and two 65-kW generators for auxiliary power to support onboard systems, also supplied by Laborde.
Hines Furlong senior engineer for new construction and leased vessels, Karl Morley, said these have the same engines from the same supplier for standardised power and propulsion systems, to simplify maintenance and operations.
“That consistency saves time and avoids headaches,” he said. “That steady involvement helps us keep these series moving,” adding, “vessels come together smoothly” at shipyards.
In January, Terral River Service added 27-m towboat Grant Gattle to its expanding fleet after its completion by Steiner Shipyard in Bayou La Batre, Alabama, to a design by Farrell & Norton Naval Architects.
It has three Mitsubishi S6R2 Tier 3 engines paired with Twin Disc reduction gears, and has started operating along the Intracoastal Waterway and the Atchafalaya and Red Rivers.
These engines have Wärtsilä water-lubricated seals, Thordon bearings and are cooled by keel coolers, while the engineroom and wheelhouse have Siemens engine alarm panels.
Grant Gattle’s delivery follows the launch of its sister vessel, Charlotte Gattle, earlier in 2025 as part of the Lake Providence, Louisiana, owner’s fleet renewal campaign.
In December 2025, Canal Barge Co held a naming ceremony for its new towboat, Al Sloss, which was constructed by C&C Marine and Repair in Belle Chasse, Louisiana.
It is powered by two Mitsubishi S12R main engines with a combined power of 1,940 kW and two generator sets rated at 99 kW.
Al Sloss is expected to operate mainly along the western Intracoastal Waterway and within the harbour in New Orleans. Delivery of the remaining three vessels in this series is scheduled to follow at regular intervals, with each towboat built around the same propulsion and support platform, during 2026.
Florida Marine Transporters is also building a series of vessels for Maritime Partners, each with twin Mitsubishi S6R2 engines, with its latest being Ashley Anne, delivered in Q4 2025.
In January, Marquette Transportation named a new towboat, John Paul Eckstein, with 7,450 kW of installed power in New Orleans after its construction. It operates this 58-m vessel along the Mississippi River between St Louis, Missouri, and Louisiana. It was named after Marquette’s current executive chairman and former president and chief executive.
Blessey Marine Services named Capt Daniel Armstrong at Channelview, Texas, in January after it was outfitted with Mitsubishi S12R engines linked to an aftertreatment system for compliance with EPA Tier 4 emissions requirements.
In November, Parker Towing named its latest 890-kW towboat, Tony Lowros, after acquiring this 2007-built vessel.
In Q4 2025, the New York State Power Authority took delivery of 20-m tugboat Thomas X Grasso after it was built by Blount Boats in Warren, Rhode Island, to a design by Bristol Harbor Group.
Crescent Towing welcomed 4,480-kW tugboat Kentucky as the second in a series of three 28-m vessels that Blakeley BoatWorks is building in Mobile, Alabama, to a design by Crowley Engineering Services, with twin Caterpillar-manufactured Cat 3516E engines, complying with EPA Tier 4 regulations, and two Kongsberg azimuth thrusters.
According to the US Coast Guard, five towing vessels have been added to the US register in 2026, including 21-m Beth Williams, which Maritime Partners welcomed and named in January. Others on the list in mid-February were 48-m Christa Ricketts, 26-m Crawford S Bryant, 8-m KMT-6 and 22-m Mr Bryan.
Inland market
These fleet investments come as the US inland transport market is running high, with strong demand for towboats and barges and tightening supply in key areas.
A market leader, Kirby Corp, reported high fleet utilisation and improved demand for its towboats and barges in the inland marine sector.
“Barge utilisation strengthened, prices firmed during Q4 2025, and overall market activity became increasingly constructive,” said Kirby chief executive David Grzebinski. “Looking ahead, we expect sustained growth and solid performance as we move into 2026.”
Barge utilisation in Q4 2025 was in the high 80% range, and Kirby’s operating margin was approximately 20%.
“In our coastal marine business, fundamentals remained solid, and barge utilisation averaged in the mid to high-90% range,” said Mr Grzebinski.
“Customer demand was steady throughout the quarter, supported by a continued shortage of large-capacity equipment. Our teams prioritised cost optimisation, resulting in an operating margin of around 20%.”
Kirby reported revenues from its marine transport business in Q4 2025 of US$482M and operating income of US$100M, compared with US$467M revenue and US$86M income in the same period in 2024.
“2026 is off to a good start,” said Mr Grzebinski. “We exited 2025 with solid momentum. Refinery activity is steady, inland barge utilisation is improving, and spot rates appear to have reached a floor with early signs of firming.”
He anticipates higher demand due to geopolitical influences, such as increased oil flows from Venezuela, ongoing tariff developments and tightening towboat and barge supply.
“Coastal market conditions remain constructive, with pricing continuing to move in the right direction,” said Mr Grzebinski. “Overall, we expect to deliver consistent, year-over-year earnings growth in 2026, supported by stable operations, improving market fundamentals, and strong execution across the company.”
Kirby expects to generate net cash provided from operating activities of US$575M to US$675M and capital spending is expected to range between US$220M to US$260M in 2026.
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