AMERICAN COMMERCIAL LINES,INC.

American Commercial Lines Inc. (ACL) is a notable player in the inland barge transportation industry in the United States. The company specializes in the transportation of dry and liquid bulk cargoes along U.S. inland waterways, primarily the Mississippi River System, the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway, and other major waterways.


History


Founded in 1915, ACL has over a century of experience in the marine transportation industry. Over the years, the company has built a significant presence and has contributed to the development and maintenance of the U.S. inland waterway system. ACL's roots trace back to the establishment of the Ohio River Company, which later expanded and evolved into the modern-day ACL.


Services


ACL's services include:



  1. Dry Cargo Transportation: The company transports commodities such as coal, agricultural products, steel, and other bulk goods.

  2. Liquid Cargo Transportation: ACL also handles the movement of refined products, chemicals, and other liquid bulk cargoes.

  3. Marine Transportation Services: In addition to cargo transportation, ACL offers logistics and transportation services that include vessel management, barge fleeting, and commodity trading.


Fleet


ACL boasts a substantial fleet of towboats and barges, making it one of the largest operators of its kind on the inland waterways. This extensive fleet allows ACL to provide flexible and reliable transportation solutions to a diverse customer base.


Economic and Environmental Impact


Inland barge transportation is known for its efficiency and lower environmental impact compared to other modes of freight transportation, such as trucking and rail. ACL plays a vital role in supporting environmentally sustainable transportation practices by enabling the movement of large volumes of cargo with minimal emissions.


Ownership and Financials


As of the most recent updates, ACL has undergone various ownership changes, including periods of being publicly traded and held by private equity firms. The company went through significant financial restructuring, including Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings, in the early 2010s but has since emerged as a more financially stable entity.


Headquarters


ACL is headquartered in Jeffersonville, Indiana, from where it coordinates its extensive operations across the U.S. inland waterways.


Current Trends


While specific recent developments would require checking the latest reports and financial disclosures, ACL continues to focus on improving operational efficiency, expanding its service offerings, and investing in technology to maintain its competitive edge.


For the latest and most detailed information, you might want to refer to ACL's official website or consult the latest financial reports and press releases.


Ships

CHEM 119

Tank Barge | Flag: United States of America | Port: WILMINGTON, DE

CHEM 111

Tank Barge | Flag: United States of America | Port: WILMINGTON, DE

WBC 16

Tank Barge | Flag: United States of America | Port: St. Louis, MO

CHEM 161

Tank Barge | Flag: United States of America | Port: Jeffersonville, IN

CHEM 124

Tank Barge | Flag: United States of America | Port: PHILADELPHIA, PA

CHEM 156

Tank Barge | Flag: United States of America | Port: Jeffersonville, IN

CHEM 231

Tank Barge | Flag: United States of America | Port: Jeffersonville, IN

CHEM 154

Tank Barge | Flag: United States of America | Port: Jeffersonville, IN

CHEM 262

Tank Barge | Flag: United States of America | Port: Jeffersonville, IN

CHEM 163

Tank Barge | Flag: United States of America | Port: Jeffersonville, IN

CHEM 155

Tank Barge | Flag: United States of America | Port: Jeffersonville, IN

CHEM 176

Tank Barge | Flag: United States of America | Port: Jeffersonville, IN

CHEM 128

Tank Barge | Flag: United States of America | Port: WILMINGTON, DE

CHEM 244

Tank Barge | Flag: United States of America | Port: Jeffersonville, IN

CHEM 126

Tank Barge | Flag: United States of America | Port: WILMINGTON, DE

CHEM 178

Tank Barge | Flag: United States of America | Port: Jeffersonville, IN

CHEM 139

Tank Barge | Flag: United States of America | Port: Louisville, KY

CHEM 239

Tank Barge | Flag: United States of America | Port: Jeffersonville, IN

CHEM 232

Tank Barge | Flag: United States of America | Port: Jeffersonville, IN

CHEM 102

Tank Barge | Flag: United States of America | Port: WILMINGTON, DE

CHEM 133

Tank Barge | Flag: United States of America | Port: PHILADELPHIA, PA

CHEM 230

Tank Barge | Flag: United States of America | Port: Jeffersonville, IN

CHEM 158

Tank Barge | Flag: United States of America | Port: Jeffersonville, IN

CHEM 172

Tank Barge | Flag: United States of America | Port: Jeffersonville, IN

CHEM 122

Tank Barge | Flag: United States of America | Port: WILMINGTON, DE

CHEM 243

Tank Barge | Flag: United States of America | Port: Jeffersonville, IN

Maritime News

Ports Urge Congress to Reverse Infrastructure Funding Cuts

Ports Urge Congress to Reverse Infrastructure Funding Cuts

17 hours ago
The American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA) and a broad coalition of every donor and energy transfer port have sent the House and Senate Appropriations Committees and the Energy and Water Development Subcommittees leaders a letter, urging them to reverse a funding diversion and restore critical support for ports through the FY2026 appropriations process.Without restoration of Section 102 and 2106 funding from the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund (HMTF), the U.S. port system will lose over $1 billion in direct investment during the remainder of the Trump administration – undermining national security, supply chain resilience, and energy exports, says AAPA.
Court Fines Fishing Companies Over $1 Million for Bilge Discharges

Court Fines Fishing Companies Over $1 Million for Bilge Discharges

17 hours ago
The federal district court in Anchorage, Alaska, has entered final judgment against three Kodiak-based commercial fishing companies and their manager for multiple violations of the Clean Water Act.The court entered default judgments against company manager Corey Potter and F/V Knot EZ LLC, Aleutian Tendering LLC, and Alaska Tendering Company LLC, and imposed a civil penalty of $1,182,265 for the violations.  The case was filed on October 24, 2024, by the Department of Justice on behalf of the Coast Guard against Corey Potter and three of his related companies.
U.S. Shipbuilding Plots the Path Ahead

U.S. Shipbuilding Plots the Path Ahead

3 days ago
The military and Coast Guard budgets are established that will benefit the U.S. ship building and repair sector, but what will stimulate the commercial yards?This author has been scratching his head of late, after a thrilling dive into July’s U.S. Big Beautiful Bill Act, and has asked several colleagues where the funding for support commercial shipbuilding can be found? To answer that, we need to look elsewhere and to future programs.Setting the SceneMany column inches have been dedicated to the decline U.S. shipbuilding, whether signaled by the relatively small presence of a U.S.
Icebreaker Construction: Seaspan, Bollinger, Rauma and Aker Arctic Team to Build USCG Icebreakers

Icebreaker Construction: Seaspan, Bollinger, Rauma and Aker Arctic Team to Build USCG Icebreakers

6 days ago
In a major move to accelerate the U.S. Coast Guard’s icebreaking fleet expansion, Bollinger Shipyards, Rauma Shipyards, Seaspan Shipyards, and Aker Arctic announced a partnership to deliver next-generation Arctic Security Cutters (ASCs) under the Coast Guard’s multibillion-dollar icebreaker program.The collaboration combines U.S., Canadian, and Finnish shipbuilding expertise to meet the Coast Guard’s urgent Arctic mission requirements. Backed by nearly $9 billion in funding secured under President Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill”, the effort aims to deliver the first vessel within 36 months of contract award, using a mature, production-ready design.
Wind Multiplikator, Norwind Offshore Ink CSOV Charter Deal

Wind Multiplikator, Norwind Offshore Ink CSOV Charter Deal

9 hours ago
Wind Multiplikator, a subsidiary of Danish company Semco Maritime, has signed a long-term charter agreement with Norwegian shipping company Norwind Offshore for a Commissioning Service Operation Vessel (CSOV), set for deployment at an offshore wind farm in German North Sea.The newly built vessel Norwind Maestro is scheduled for delivery in the first quarter of 2026, with a sister ship of the same design available from the fourth quarter of 2025.Both CSOVs will operate directly out of Emden, enabling rapid response times and efficient offshore deployment.The vessels will be used to support maintenance of the 400 MW Global Tech I offshore wind farm in the German North Sea.