This quarter our new e-newsletter covers the latest news and happenings at PTL Marine. We continue to share important information for our loyal customers, recognize special people on our team and include other items we think you will find useful along the way.
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Renewable Diesel Can Fast Track Sustainability Goals
PTL Marine Aims to become a Provider of Next-Gen Fuels
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Renewable diesel (RD) is becoming a trending topic and part of the lexicon in industry discussions these days. With regulation deadlines now looming in California markets, many companies see it as their future fuel and have embraced its inevitability. What is renewable diesel, you ask? It’s a biofuel that meets the ASTM D975 standard for diesel. It can be made from many waste or renewable materials, and it is produced by running fats and oils from plants and animals instead of crude through a refinery.
PTL Marine Business Development Manager, Steven Taylor, is now receiving multiple customer inquiries about RD each week. “Renewable diesel is a drop-in fuel which basically means it can be utilized as a one-for-one replacement for conventional diesel,” stated Taylor. "Additionally, it does not require changes to the fueling infrastructure,” he continued.
RD produces a cleaner exhaust and can reduce the costs for engine maintenance, a plus for fleet owners who are well aware of the skyrocketing costs in the category. RD does not contain oxygen, which mitigates problems that alternative options, such as biodiesel has with storage, freezing, and algae growth.
Certainly last but not least, RD can help companies meet and exceed their sustainability goals. Using RD can cut lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions up to 85% depending on from what materials it is made. For more information on how renewable diesel can help your company, you can reach Steven Taylor HERE.
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Exclusive Partnership with Abco Announced at IMX
Companies Join Together to Serve Customers along Inland Waterways
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PTL Marine together with Abco Industrial & Marine (Abco) has announced an exclusive partnership to provide marine, MRO and safety supplies to its customers operating on the Inland Waterways.
Abco Industrial has served the safety industry in the tri-state area of Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana since 1987. The company provides an array of personal protective equipment (PPE) ,safety solutions, and industrial supplies for customers of all sizes, both locally and nationally. Abco Industrial’s location in Paducah, KY is a highly regarded, specialized supplier of marine, MRO, and safety supplies to the marine industry on America’s waterways. In 2021, Abco was acquired by Ritz Safety, one of the largest privately held safety companies in the United States. This acquisition expanded Abco and Ritz to sixteen locations nationwide.
“Our combined companies have more than 110 years of service to the marine industry. This partnership leverages the strengths of both organizations to make this advantageous and cost-effective for our customers,” said Stuart Gordon, Director of Inland Marine Operations. “PTL Marine’s last-mile logistics capabilities will serve the industry out of our locations in Memphis, Tenn., Wickliffe, Ky., St. Louis Harbor, and Wood River, Ill.
“Abco is excited to join together with PTL Marine to leverage our competencies and create an enhanced customer experience,” said Matthew Schapker, Vice President of Sales at Abco. “We are confident this combined offering will simplify the supply chain challenges faced by the industry when replenishing marine, MRO and safety supplies.”
To read the full story in The Waterways Journal click HERE.
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Inland Marine Team Members in Kentucky Strive for the Perfect Order |
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In a continuation of our series of articles exploring the Customer First. Customer Always. philosophy of our team members, we travel the inland waterways and stop in Wickliffe, Kentucky at the confluence of the Mississippi and Ohio Rivers. Gabrielle Mitchell, Assistant Operations Manager, and Kevin Beasley, Grocery and Supplies Manager, discussed their core principles and reminisced about their combined 42 years in the inland marine industry.
“I’m biased, but we’ve got the most beautiful view of these two rivers here and we’re reminded of it every day,” said Beasley as he looked toward the West. He went on to say that customers today expect the very best and that he aims for perfection in his team. “Each and every day we strive for the perfect order and we keep track how many times per month we get there.” Freshop, the online ordering system introduced by PTL Marine two years ago and adopted by many customers has dramatically increased the number of perfect orders. “Customers who use it absolutely love it,” he said.
Gabrielle Mitchell remembers her team’s intent focus during the pandemic, especially in 2020. “As the only company in our area that provided fuel, groceries, vital supplies including PPE, and crew changes, we tried very hard to rise to the occasion and assist this essential workers in this industry that we love so much,” she recalled. “Today, our customers have supply issues, worker shortages, and inflation is consuming food budgets, so we still work hard with them to manage these extraordinary challenges.”
The team in Wickliffe is known for going the extra mile and enjoys strong relationships with their customers. PTL Marine’s “Best of Campaign” was born out of the Wickliffe operation and spread to other locations in the company. For several months each of the past two years, PTL Marine delivered complimentary BBQ, frozen custard, baked goods and watermelons to customers to show appreciation up and down the river. “We’re very proud that promotion started with us, and we’re even more excited to share what we’ve got “cooking” for this summer’s special promo coming soon, Mitchell said. “Beasley added, “cooking is a strong clue of what we’re up to so stay tuned.”
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Pictured left: With much pride for their work and the industry that they love, Kevin Beasley and Gabrielle Mitchell have a combined 42 years of service to the inland marine industry and serve customers from PTL Marine's operation in Kentucky.
Wickliffe is located at the confluence of the Mississippi and Ohio Rivers just 50 nautical miles from Paducah.
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U.S. Coast Guard Subchapter M Inspections Complete
PTL Marine Reaches 100% Compliance with Towing Vessel Regulations
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The EHS Team at PTL Marine is pleased to report that all thirteen vessels in the company’s fleet have received their Certificates of Inspection (COIs) from the U.S. Coast Card and are 100% compliant with all Subchapter M towing vessel regulations.
“Beginning with our first vessel inspected in the fall of 2018, I want to congratulate all our crew members up and down the Mississippi and on the U.S. West Coast for their steadfast efforts to complete this important EHS Goal before the deadline,” said Art Fuller, PTL Marine EHS Manager of Inland Operations. “This is an important milestone in reaching our Target Zero goals, which emphasizes Safety First, Last, and Always!”
A proud member of the American Waterways Operators and its Responsible Carrier Program, PTL Marine, along with many of our industry partners and customers strongly supported the development of Subchapter M which authorized the Coast Guard to develop the inspection regulations to raise safety standards throughout the tugboat, towboat and barge industry. The program was formally adopted in 2016. You can read more about Subchapter M on the AWO website located HERE.
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A Celebration of the Industry's Best at #IMX2022 |
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Members of our industry participated in multiple events held this past May at the Inland Marine Expo in St. Louis, an annual trade show designed specifically for the inland and intracoastal marine industry. PTL Marine visited with customers from all around the Midwest at various special events, education sessions, on the trade show floor, and in the fierce competition known as the Maritime Throwdown.
40 Under 40: David Reynolds
A very special congratulations to David Reynolds, President of PTL Marine, and all honorees named to the 40 Under 40, a list of young leaders representing the very best of our industry. An article profiling David will be featured in the August 1 issue of The Waterways Journal.
Education Session: Alt Fuels
Aiming to be a leading company providing next-gen fuels to its customers, PTL Marine participated in an education panel entitled, “Maintaining the Environmental Advantage: Alternative Fuels."
Maritime Throwdown: Michael Oaks
The Maritime Throwdown consists of a three-part competition that tests mariners’ industrial maritime and safety skills. Congratulations to Michael Oaks, Tankerman, St. Louis, who finished on the podium during the Maritime Industry Skills Challenge. Participating along with Michael were Mark Reed, James Knight and Art Fuller who represented PTL Marine from our operations in St. Louis and Wood River, Ill. Many thanks to Maritime Throwdown founder Capt. Kenny Brown, for his hard work in promoting the competition.
Next Year: Nashville
The Inland Marine Expo (IMX) which has enjoyed residency in St. Louis for the past nine years will be moving to Nashville for its 10th Anniversary. For more information on #IMX2023, please visit HERE. PTL Marine will see you next year in Music City, Tennessee!
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