American Commercial Barge Line (ACBL)

After more than four decades in the industry, Marty Hettel is retiring, closing out a remarkable career that left a lasting IMPACT on ACBL and the marine transportation industry. From his start as a deckhand in 1980 to becoming a respected industry leader, Marty’s dedication, expertise, and advocacy have helped shape the future of our waterways. Please join us in celebrating Marty and wishing him the best in this next chapter! Pictured: Jen Armstrong, Alex Pucheu, Marty Hettel, Ben White, and Captain Aaron Williams #ACBLTeam #MarineTransportation #MaritimeIndustry

ACBL recently partnered with Fermata Tech to host another Basic Electrical Training class, providing hands-on instruction to help our Mariners safely and efficiently manage electrical systems. This training equips Engineers with essential skills for their roles on board, supporting both safety and operational success. Team Members Mark Bellamy, Dominic Davis, Khalid Eldow, Tony Espinoza, Christopher Fisher, Chris Goodman, Chris Howerton, Marty Lovejoy, Sean McGill, Donald Mounce, Randall Roupe, and Caleb Smith were in attendance. Thank you to all who participated—your commitment to continuous improvement keeps ACBL moving forward! #ACBLTeam #MarinerTraining #ContinuousImprovement #TowboatLife #MaritimeIndustry #ElectricalEngineering #ElectricalTraining

M/V Jeffboat and M/V Kenny Eads standing by at Lock 27—the southernmost lock on the Mississippi River and the only one south of its confluence with the Missouri River. This lock moves more cargo than any other navigation structure on the river, making it a critical point for inland waterway transportation.

From pushing barges to pushing limits, ACBL Team Member Harley Showalter proves his strength both on and off the water. As Lead Fleet Captain in Cairo, Harley keeps operations running smoothly, but outside of work, he pursues another passion—competitive strongman training. After nearly a decade on deck building strength, he’s now competing in strongman events, benching 500 lbs, strict pressing 290 lbs, and deadlifting 615 lbs. “For me, strongman keeps me healthy, keeps me active, and helps me be a better person for my family,” he says. Check out the video to hear more about Harley’s journey! #ACBLTeam #TowboatCaptain #Strongman #MarinersAtWork #StrongmanTraining

Check out this video of the M/V Michael D Collins making its way up the Mississippi. There’s nothing like the power of a towboat pushing ahead. Want to be part of the action? We’re hiring Fleet Deckhands in Cairo, IL! ?? 8 days on, 4 days off ? 12-hour shifts ?? Competitive pay + career growth opportunities If you're 18 or older, have a TWIC card, and are ready join a Team that keeps America moving, apply today and start your journey with ACBL! Click here for more information or to apply: https://lnkd.in/gfQ5dm34

Northbound at Mile 412, making Jamie Whitten Lock on the Tenn-Tom. Night work on the water never stops. Thank you, Captain Brian Lowe, for sharing these pictures!

ACBL recently hosted the first Tankerman Leadership Class at our Convent Facility, focusing on operations, safety, and leadership development. With hands-on training and insights from industry experts, this class is the first step in strengthening the next generation of leaders in tankering. Thank you to everyone who helped make this training a success!

We love getting photos of our Team Members celebrating their milestones! Thank you to Port Captain Drew Cary for sharing this photo of Captain Chris Clouatre receiving his 10-year award aboard the M/V George Marble in Tiger Fleet. Congratulations, Chris, and thank you to all our Team Members who keep us moving! #ACBLTeam #Milestones #MarinersAtWork #TowboatCaptain

Check out this video of the M/V Jacky O’Neal running southbound with a full tow. Built in 1975 and later rebuilt in 2016, this triple-screw towboat packs 9,210 horsepower to keep cargo moving efficiently on the river. #ACBLTeam #Towboat #MaritimeIndustry #bargetransport

Congratulations to our dedicated Team Members who celebrated significant work milestones in February! Your hard work and commitment are what make ACBL such a great place to be. We can’t thank you enough for everything you do. Here’s to many more years of making an IMPACT together! #ACBLTeam #WorkAnniversaries #Milestones