Mon River Towing Buys Fleet Of Coal Barges

In a major expansion move intended to consolidate towing and barging operations under unified management, Mon River Towing, Inc. of Belle Vernon, Pa., has acquired Hillman T r a n s p o r t a t i o n Company's fleet of coal barges and its coal transportation contracts.

In announcing the acquisition, Howard S. Guttman, president of Mon River Towing, said: "With the addition of the Hillman fleet, our company now operates more than 250 standard coal barges, 17 tank and chemical barges and 13 towboats ranging in size from 760 to 2,250 hp. It makes us one of the largest local inland waterways carriers in the Pittsburgh area. Obviously, we will be able to offer expanded and more efficient service to our customers.

"Although the move represents a significant e x p a n s i o n of the company's fleet," Mr. Guttman said, "it does not effectively alter river transportation o p e r a t i o n s for Hillman customers. Mon River Towing has been providing towing for all Hillman barges since 1965." Hillman president Robert F.

Kenny explained: "Barging and towing operations will now be consolidated under one management to provide a unified operation for the customers we have served in mining, utilities and industry." In order to effect a smooth transition of ownership and maintain continuity of service, two former key employees at Hillman will join the staff of Mon River Towing.

Mon River Towing operates its own maintenance shops and employs a staff of qualified maintenance personnel to keep towboats and barges in peak operating condition.

Boat personnel and tankerman are all highly experienced.

Mooring facilities at the Belle V e r n o n l a n d i n g have been enlarged and improved regularly to handle the increased volume of riverboat traffic.

In addition to president Howard Guttman, officers of the company include Richard B. Nissley, vice president and general manager; Alan R. and James L. Guttman, v i c e p r e s i d e n t s , and Dolores Harper, secretary.

Other stories from November 15, 1978 issue

Content

Maritime Reporter

First published in 1881 Maritime Reporter is the world's largest audited circulation publication serving the global maritime industry.