b'28INLAND & MISSISSIPPI PORTS ajot.comAWO President Carpenter outlines challenges to inland waterwaysJennifer Carpenter, President, and CEO of the American Water-ways Operators (AWO) in an AJOT interview outlines challenges that inland waterway operators will need to contend. Stas Margaronis, AJOTAside from the current low water emergency, there are many other chal-lenges facing inland waterways. In an interview with AJOT, American Water-ways Operators (AWO) President Jen-niferCarpenteroutlinedsomeofthe hurdles,includingthemuchdebated application of Jones Act waivers.Carpenterpraisedtheactionsby CongressandtheBidenadministra-Importance of inland waterwaystion to thwart attempts to undermine U.S. build and U.S. manning require-stands out with Mississippi RivermentsasprovidedundertheJones Act to be reduced, saying, I want to low-water emergency thank Congress and the Biden Admin- Jennifer Carpenter, President and CEO Mississippi River barge traffic paralyzed by low water emergency. istration who have taken a very firmof the American Waterways OperatorsstanceagainstunnecessarywaiversAct that passed in 2021 put guardrails of the Jones Act. So, Congress in thearound new Jones Act waivers which By Stas Margaronis, AJOT lastNationalDefenseAuthorization(OUTLINEScontinued on page 30)Theimportanceofinlandwater-ways has never been clearer than now withtheMississippiRiverlow-water emergency. The United States has over 12,000 miles of navigable inland water-ways,thatannuallycarrynearly500 million tons of freight. But the impor-tance of these freight marine highway conduitsisoftenoverlookeduntila disruptionoccurs. Andthatdisruption is the low-water emergency the Missis-sippi River system is now experiencing.American Commercial Barge Line (ACBL)reportedonOctober6ththat Mississippi River vessels are experienc-ing: Historic low water conditions and that River levels continue to fall on the Mississippi River with severe impacts to navigation not seen since 1988. The Jeffersonville,Indianabased-ACBL, oneofthelargestandmostdiversi-fiedmarinetransportationcompa-niesintheU.S.alsosaid:Industry isexpectingcatastrophicimpactsto boat capacity, which will in turn dras-tically decrease ton-mile productivity fortheinlandrivers.Inrespectthe mitigating steps taken by the company, ACBL also reported that it is working to crew all available boats and mobi-lize equipment to combat these condi-tions. Industry has reduced the loading draftsto96asofSeptember27th. This change reflects a 20-27% reduc-tion to tons per barge versus normal conditions.Thecompanyisplan-ning to move barges in our network loadedpriortothischangeperthe below guidance. As a result: Barges up to 10 0 will continue to move from CairoSouth.Bargesbetween100 and 10 6 will continue to move from RosedaleSouth.Nobargesover10 6 will be moved until further notice. Industry has agreed to 25-barge max towsizereflectinga17-38%reduc-tion in tow size. Groundings have been driving intermittent closures of 12-36 hours daily over the past three weeks. Docks and harbors may see further draft restrictions locally, some reportedly at 7 max. U.S. Army Corps of EngineersHARNESS THE GLOBAL POWER OF A GREAT LAKES PORT.is engaging additional buoy boats toRegional, national and international logisticians count on Port Milwaukee for a turnkey approach improvenavigationalaidsaswellas two dredges and Dredging activitiesto solve their transportation and supply chain needs. Strategically located in the industrial center expected to drive full closure periodsof the U.S., Port Milwaukee provides premier access to domestic and world markets.to transit during this event. Finally, the company said, Expect these issues to continuethroughOctoberbasedonVISIT PORTMILWAUKEE.COM . PORT @ MILWAUKEE.GOVforecasted precipitation.'