WorkBoat August 2025 – Volume 85 Edition 08
Slow to change. Set in their ways. Behind the times. These are some of the phrases I’ve heard used to describe the U.S. inland towboat and barge industry. Yes, this sector leans heavily on tradition and tends to be risk-averse — and for good reason. With thin profit margins and safety on the line, caution is essential. Plus, river shipping is already among the most efficient modes of commodity transport. But let this edition serve as evidence that the labels above fail to tell the entire story. In the August issue, the WorkBoat team explores AI-powered barge-tracking tools and advances in alternative fuels, just two examples of innovation at work on the rivers. The inland maritime sector isn’t stuck — it’s evolving, deliberately and pragmatically.
