Page 26: of Marine News Magazine (September 2021)

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Feature

Inland Waterways

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers approximately 10% sequentially, but remained down ap- proximately 10% to 15% year-on-year.” Martin Midstream

Partners L.P., with a barge ? eet primarily serving the Gulf

Coast on shorter term charters, said in a recent ? ling, “We believe that re? nery utilization will continue to increase in the second half of 2021 as a result of widespread vaccina- tions, government stimulus and a rebounding economy.

This should ultimately improve re? ned product demand.”

Kirby leads the league tables on tank barge ownership with 1,046 barges, followed by ACL with 408, Canal Barge with 363, Martin Midstream (tied to Marathon Petroleum) with 300, Ingram with 298 and Florida Marine Transporters with 250, according to data in a recent Kirby presentation.

The push toward a ? eet of vessels fully compliant with

Subchapter M inspection requirements where previously uninspected towing vessels would need to have a Certi? - cate of Inspection (COI) continues. The U.S. Coast Guard explains, “In order to operate after July 19, 2022, all Sub- chapter M towing vessels must have a valid COI.” In its

Maritime Commons blog, it notes, “Owners and managing operators (OMO) are responsible for ensuring that 75% of their respective ? eets receive a COI before July 19, 2021.”

Statistics provided to Marine News by the U.S. Coast Guard showed the aggregate ? eet falling short of the 75% mile- stone, with some 3,217 active towing vessels have been is- 26 | MN September 2021