Written by
Heather Ervin
The U.S.’s first plug-in hybrid electrical inland towboat, the M/V Inexperienced Diamond. (Credit score: Kirby)
Whereas improvements in tugboat design to make them greener and extra highly effective have made headlines extra so than inland towboats, some towboat operators aren’t too far behind.
Taylor Dickerson, who’s vp – venture administration workplace & ESG chief for Kirby, will current on the M/V Inexperienced Diamond, its know-how, supply and operation at Marine Log’s Tugs, Towboats & Barges (TTB) 2024 occasion on March 6-7 in Cell, Ala. Dickerson, who can also be the newly elected president of Ladies in Maritime Operations (WIMOs), christened the vessel.
Again on August 25, 2023, Kirby Inland Marine christened the primary plug-in diesel hybrid electrical towboat within the U.S., the M/V Inexperienced Diamond, on the water in Channelview, Texas. The vessel is time chartered by Shell Buying and selling (US) Firm, which is able to use the boat to push barges all through the Houston port area. Shell Vitality Options supplied electrical energy to cost the vessel’s battery system. Kirby Inland Marine is a subsidiary of Houston-based Kirby Company.
ABOUT TTB 2024
The U.S. tugboat, towboat and barge trade could already be the most secure, most environmentally pleasant, and most economical mode of freight transportation, however it’s confronted with the problem of creating a transition to a low-carbon future. Whereas some firms are making it work, others query the fact of doing so in mild of different points impacting their backside line.
What market developments and desires ought to be thought-about by tugs, towboats and barges? How real looking are our present zero- or low-emission objectives? What landmark tasks are being delivered at this time or are near hitting the water and the way did they do it?
These are a few of the points that shall be on the agenda March 6 and seven, 2024, when Marine Log’s TTB —Tugs, Towboats & Barges returns to Cell, Ala., for its third time. This 12 months, TTB will accomplice with American Waterways Operators (AWO) as its affiliation accomplice.
“Because the tugboat, towboat and barge trade’s advocate, useful resource and united voice for protected, sustainable and environment friendly transportation on America’s waterways, oceans and coasts, AWO is honored to be Marine Log’s affiliation accomplice for TTB 2024,” says Jennifer Carpenter, president and CEO of AWO. “The convention’s deal with sustainability throughout the U.S. tugboat, towboat and barge trade couldn’t be extra well timed, and we stay up for bringing collectively a few of the greatest minds in marine transportation as we collectively navigate the numerous challenges and alternatives that lie forward.”
The convention will deliver tug and towboat homeowners, operators, builders, designers, and stakeholders collectively in a single place to debate:
- Particular venture updates: eWolf, Hydrogen One, and so forth.
- America’s first hybrid-electric towboat.
- How enhancing crew lodging can enhance crew efficiency and retention.
- Embracing the know-how shift as we transfer towards decrease emissions.
- The primary ammonia-powered tug.
- A have a look at the primary battery electrical tugs within the Americas.
- Easy methods to handle workforce challenges for the TTB market.
- And extra.
“TTB is a chance to take part in a dialogue with your entire tug, towboat and barge trade’s management on key strategic challenges, points, developments, classes realized, and new venture and technological developments,” says Marine Log Editor-in-Chief Heather Ervin. “We’re excited to return to Cell after a profitable TTB 2023 there in March.”
Why attend? Listed here are a couple of causes:
- Be part of the one occasion solely for the U.S. tug, towboat and barge trade.
- Learn the way others are staying forward of ever more durable emissions laws.
- Uncover new tug, towboat and barge applied sciences to maintain your organization aggressive.
- Community in-person with trade specialists and influencers.
- Discover ways to meet buyer expectations on decrease carbon operations from their suppliers.
Registration is now open for the one occasion devoted solely to the tug, towboat and barge segments of the maritime transportation trade.
