Editor’s Note

Perhaps now more than ever safety concerns are paramount as the spread of COVID-19 continues to take an immediate toll on human health. Meanwhile, the pandemic’s impacts are being felt more widely and deeply by businesses large and small as the economic challenges posed by the crisis grow in scale and complexity.

The global maritime industry has witnessed firsthand both the health and economic impacts of the coronavirus outbreak, responding to historic widespread supply chain disruptions, major market shifts and extensive mariner safety issues. Globally, much work still needs to be done to address all three.

The U.S. inland shipping sector, however – though not immune to the pandemic, especially in terms of market demand – has to date largely maintained course to ensure vital cargoes continue moving, thanks to swift, proactive action by an industry well prepared to handle adversity.

Business as usual has become a thing of the past as operators adjust to new procedures geared toward protecting crews and waterborne commerce. “It’s apparent that we will realize a new normal. Our way of operating has been changed,” Peter Stephaich, chairman and CEO of Campbell Transportation, said in our Q2 inland waterways report, starting on page 30. He expects safety measures such enhanced crew screening and testing protocols, as well as improved use of technology in day-to-day operations, will stick around.

The industry today has a chance to seek opportunities to be better and more productive, writes Deb Calhoun, Waterways Council interim president and CEO, in her column starting on page 20 that. While Calhoun writes specifically about critical waterway infrastructure improvement projects, the sentiment rings true universally. Within every challenge is an opportunity to improve.

Improvement is a theme found in a number of stories in this edition, from the port upgrades underway at the Port of Pittsburgh discussed by the port commission’s executive director Mary Ann Bucci (page 12), to R&D efforts led by Dr. Dirk Jürgens, head of R&D at Voith Turbo Marine (page 44).

We at Marine News continually strive to improve as well, and I welcome your suggestions.

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Eric Haun, Editor, haun@marinelink.com