ARLINGTON, VA – The American Waterways Operators, the national trade association representing the U.S. tugboat, towboat and barge industry, announced today that it has launched a new website designed to increase public awareness and foster greater knowledge of the industry’s key contributions in the areas of safety and the environment, security, and the economy.

“AWO and its members are very proud of our role in moving the nation’s commerce safely and efficiently, and we want others to know more about this very dynamic industry,” said Tom Allegretti, AWO’s President & CEO. “Especially with the WRRDA bill up for House consideration, the new website offers a wonderful way to learn about the important work our members do to ensure safety, efficiency and reliability throughout our water transportation network.”

The tugboat, towboat and barge industry is comprised of over 4,000 vessels and more than 27,000 barges, working together to move more than 800 million tons of domestic commerce each year on U.S. inland and intracoastal waterways as well as the Atlantic, Pacific and Gulf coasts and the Great Lakes. Additionally, industry members provide essential services such as shipdocking, tanker escort and bunkering that support the vast amounts of cargo entering and exiting our nation’s busy ports and harbors.

“This industry is much more than what the statistics represent,” Allegretti noted. “It’s state-of-the-art vessels, advanced technology and dedicated and experienced professionals, all working together to move the nation’s commerce, promote safety excellence, serve as environmental stewards, protect our national and homeland security, and contribute to the nation’s economy. It’s a powerful story, and the new website shares that story in a very compelling way.”

For more information about AWO, please visit www.americanwaterways.com.