Thursday, May 29, 2025

9:15 AM  Opening Session – View from the Wheelhouse – The IMX Captain’s Panel!
Moderated by The Waterways Journal 

There is no better way to understand the needs of vessel operators than to hear from those at the sticks. In this first-ever session for IMX, you will hear from licensed mariners. These esteemed members of the industry will share stories of how they found their way to the water, developed a solid career and are mentoring others to join their ranks. You will also hear what is important to them so they can continue to keep the value of marine transportation alive and well for years to come.

10:15 AM  Staying Ahead of Disaster: Strategic Planning Before a Waterways Emergency
Moderator: Mike Breslin, Senior Director for Safety & Sustainability, American Waterways Operators

Led by the American Waterways Operators, this session will feature maritime industry and regulatory agency leaders specializing in marine response plans. They will share their experiences and data-driven insights to help attendees enhance their own incident response plans. Topics will include infrastructure lifecycle assessments, staging equipment, evacuation and shelter-in-place plans, and strategic incident command formation. The panel will also explore how industry groups such as the River Industry Executive Task Force (RIETF) have successfully reduced the impact of extreme weather events.

11:15 AM  Keeping Traffic Flowing with Modern Infrastructure & the Challenge of Cost Overruns
Moderator: Paul Rohde, Vice President, Midwest Area, Waterways Council Inc.

Just a couple of years removed from the historic amount of funding provided by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, challenges to completing construction of lock and dam modernization continue to mount. Cost overruns are rampant, delaying project completion dates and impacting construction starts on other priority projects. Efforts to close locks in the Pacific Northwest underscore the importance of education and advocacy to Congress, the media and the general public. The new administration and Congress’ climate for cutting funding underline the importance of having the industries impacted by river transportation working together to achieve their goals.

1:15 PM  Towing Vessel Compliance Update & Challenges
Moderator: Tava Foret, President & Cofounder, Towing Vessel Inspection Bureau (TVIB)

Navigating compliance in the towing vessel industry presents ongoing challenges, from drydock constraints to regulatory hurdles. This panel will explore the latest updates on compliance requirements, discuss common obstacles operators face and highlight strategies for securing extensions. Industry experts will also examine the potential impact of non-compliance, including whether vessels are at risk of being taken out of service and how many towboats have already been affected due to the lack of a Certificate of Inspection (COI). Join us for an insightful discussion on maintaining compliance while keeping your fleet operational.

2:15 PM  Developing the On & Off Ramps of our Marine Highways from a Design & Fund Perspective
Moderator: Meagan Mansfield, Project Manager and Civil Engineer, BFW Engineering

This session explores the intricacies of project implementation with federal funding for inland waterways and riverports in Kentucky, Illinois, Missouri, Tennessee, Mississippi and Indiana. It highlights disparities in funding mechanisms and the unique challenges and opportunities each state faces. The discussion covers constructability challenges, including infrastructure development, maintenance and environmental considerations, compounded by varying geographical and climatic conditions. Federal funding’s role in planning, construction and maintenance is examined, along with legislative and administrative frameworks. Finally, the session looks ahead to the future of inland waterways commerce, discussing the benefits of modernization and expansion, such as job creation, increased exports and reduced carbon footprints.

3:15 PM  New Vessel Construction: Distinctive New Builds or Build Programs

The inland and intracoastal waterways are home to the largest number of commercial vessels, by far, in the United States.  Built to last, many run for decades, but new vessels are added constantly.  Each new build incorporates lessons from the past along with new innovations and the latest technology as the industry constantly raises the bar for crew comfort, safety and efficient operations.  This session will focus on significant new builds or new build programs.

Friday, May 30, 2025

9:15 AM  State of the Barge Industry:  Supply, Demand and Projections
Moderator: Ken Eriksen, Managing Member and Strategic Adviser, Polaris Analytics and Consulting

The inland fleet of barge equipment is facing a critical inflection point. The fleet can be characterized by 3 R’s: Retire, Replace and Resurge. The fleet is rapidly aging and will require replacement. To support changes in commodity demand requirements, certain fleets may need to resurge, that is, expand. This session will present the latest results of the annual IRR Barge Fleet Profile and IRR Commodities Report published by The Waterways Journal.  It will include discussion on the commodities moved on the inland waterways by barge type. A view of key demand developments will be discussed while an overview of the fleet retirement pathway is presented.

10:15 AM  Present and Proposed Incentives for Investing in Domestic Marine Transportation and Shipbuilding
Moderator: James A. Kearns III, Special Counsel, Jones Walker

This session will review existing programs such as Title XI, the Capital Construction Fund and Small Shipyard Grant programs and then will take a deeper look at new or future opportunities, such as the SHIPS for America Act.  The discussion topics will be relevant at the time of the Inland Marine Expo and thus may change to reflect programs and efforts underway as of May 30, 2025.

11:30 AM  Class of 2025 40 Under 40 Awards Lunch and Presentation of the Mike Rushing Legacy Service Award