Economic Outlook for Inland Waterways on Agenda at One-Day Summit in New Orleans, March 31
Portland, Maine & New Orleans, Louisiana (PRWEB) March 26, 2015 -- The “Economic Outlook for the Inland Waterways” is among the discussion topics on the agenda for the Future of the Inland Waterways Summit on March 31 in New Orleans.
The inland business climate has seen steady demand on the liquid side, led by petroleum-related movements. For tank barge operators, the result has been record profits, strong balance sheets and excellent cash flow. It has also enabled operators to continue to build new equipment. On the dry cargo side, strong exports of soybeans, corn and wheat have helped operators this year. In the session focused on the economic outlook for inland waterways operators, panelists Brent Dibner, president of Dibner Maritime Associates and Eric Livingston, vice president of GATX, will discuss the outlook for the barge transport of petroleum, grain, coal and other commodities. The panel will also take a look at barge construction and backlogs at Trinity and other barge builders.
The strong U.S. economy, lower oil prices, and grain and oilseed production should continue to bring good news for barge operators and dry cargo carriers in 2015. But even this good news comes with challenges. Other topics featured in the one-day Summit include “Inland Towboat Design & Trends” and “Subchapter M, WRRDA, the Barge Tax, and Other Issues Facing Inland Operators.” There will also be a keynote address from Michael Toohey, president and CEO of the Waterways Council Inc.
Participation in the WorkBoat Regional Summit: Future of the Inland Waterways includes a networking breakfast, lunch and breaks, as well as a keynote, and panel and roundtable discussions. For industry members that register before March 30, the price is only $425 — a $70 savings. Day-of-event registration is $495. The full Summit schedule and registration information is available HERE.
About WorkBoat
WorkBoat is part of the Diversified Communications portfolio of commercial marine events, publications and e-media products. The WorkBoat brand has been connecting qualified buyers with leading suppliers for more than 70 years. WorkBoat delivers high quality information to all segments of the marine industry in North America through WorkBoat magazine, WorkBoat.com, face-to-face at the International WorkBoat Show and WorkBoat Maintenance & Repair Conference and Expo, and through education programs at the WorkBoat Professional Series and Regional Summits. For more information, visit http://www.workboat.com.
WorkBoat Regional Summits, one-day conferences that address topics that affect a specific region and market sector, allow for in-depth discussion, peer-to-peer networking and solution-driven conversations.
About Diversified Communications
Diversified Communications, based in Portland, Maine, provides information and market access through face-to-face events, publications and eMedia. Diversified serves a number of industries including: seafood, food service, natural and organic, healthcare, commercial marine, and business management. Diversified operates divisions in Australia, Hong Kong, India, the UK and Canada. For more information, visit: http://www.divcom.com.
Media Contact:
Karyn Gilbert, Marketing Manager
Diversified Communications / WorkBoat
kgilbert(at)divcom(dot)com | (207) 842-5619
Lauren McDermott, Diversified Communications, +1 207-842-5619, [email protected]
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