ADM Lunday Assumes Command of Coast Guard. On January 15, Admiral Kevin Lunday was sworn in as the 28th Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard by Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem in an Assumption of Command Ceremony attended by AWO President & CEO Jennifer Carpenter and Vice President -- Regulatory Affairs Caitlyn Stewart. ADM Lunday has served as Acting Commandant since January 2025 and Vice Commandant of the Coast Guard since June 2024. Prior commands include the Coast Guard's Atlantic Area, the Fourteenth Coast Guard District, and Coast Guard Cyber Command.

In his first remarks as Commandant, ADM Lunday described the Coast Guard as critical to ensuring the nation's economic prosperity and national security. He stated that the Coast Guard must do three things: "ready, fight, and navigate" -- ready the Service by successfully implementing Force Design 2028 and managing the historic $24.6 billion investment from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act; fight by performing all of the Service's statutory missions, including facilitating commerce vital to American economic prosperity and strategic mobility; and navigate the Service into the future. In thanking the ceremony's many attendees, ADM Lunday noted that the commercial maritime and shipbuilding industries "are the engine that drive our economy and our great nation."

AWO warmly congratulates ADM Lunday and looks forward to working with him and his leadership team to advance the partnership between the Coast Guard and the tugboat, towboat and barge industry.

Maritime Policy Remains a Priority as 119th Congress Opens Second Session. The 2nd Session of the 119th Congress began this month, and it's shaping up to be a pivotal year for maritime policy. The House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure will soon kick off consideration of the biennial Water Resources Development Act (WRDA), which authorizes the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' Civil Works program, including navigation, flood control, and ecosystem restoration projects on America's waterways. Meanwhile, Senate Commerce Committee majority staff has begun crafting a framework for a second U.S. Coast Guard reauthorization bill to address policies that were not included in the 2025 National Defense Authorization Act late last year, while minority staff is discussing a maritime strategy bill focused on shipyard capacity, workforce, and other top priorities for the industry that could include permitting reform.

The U.S. Senate also recently passed the FY2026 Energy and Water Development Appropriations Act by a vote of 82-15, providing over $10 billion for Army Corps of Engineers Civil Works and record funding for the Mississippi River and Tributaries account. This bipartisan appropriations package, previously approved by the House of Representatives, signals continued Congressional recognition of inland waterways infrastructure as essential to national commerce and competitive advantage. The bill has been sent to the president and is expected to be signed into law soon. 

New Mariner Credentialing Portal Launches January 26. As previewed in the December 5 AWO Letter, the Coast Guard's National Maritime Center (NMC) has announced that its new online Application Submission and Additional Information Portal (ASAP) will fully launch on January 26. ASAP will allow mariners to submit merchant mariner credential applications and medical certificate applications, and upload supporting documents in response to Additional Information requests, without the hassle and file size limitations that emailing attachments currently creates. To assist mariners and employers in navigating the new portal, the NMC has created an ASAP Tutorial video. During the transition period, the NMC will continue to accept submissions via email and fax, but for the most efficient processing times mariners should immediately begin using ASAP when it launches. If you have questions please contact Patrick Parsons.  

Coast Guard Updates Cybersecurity Training Guidance. The Coast Guard Office of Maritime Cybersecurity Policy (CG-MCP) recently released an updated FAQ document and Work Instruction MCP-WI-001 related to the Coast Guard's Cybersecurity regulations (33 CFR 101 Subpart F).  The updated FAQ document updates the FAQ responses to align with Policy Letter 01-25 released by CG-MCP late last year. The new work instruction provides inspectors with guidance on performing cybersecurity training verification and provides vessel operators with an understanding of the information inspectors will look and ask for when performing inspections. The work instruction also reiterates that cybersecurity training verification inspections will take place during existing vessel, facility, or OCS facility inspections. Please review the updated guidance and reach out to Liam Morcroft with any questions or concerns.  

Study Analyzes Impacts of Mississippi River Disruptions on Trade and Supply Chains. The Big River Coalition and Polaris Analytics and Consulting released a new study examining how disruptions to the Mississippi River Ship Channel affect national trade and supply chains. The analysis shows that the region supports more than $226.5 billion in annual bulk commodity trade -- nearly 20 percent of U.S. waterborne commerce. The findings reinforce the long-held positions of AWO, WCI and other stakeholders in support of sustained federal investment in waterways infrastructure and dredging.

To learn more, access the full report and consider registering for the Mississippi River Trade and Transport Conference in New Orleans, February 10-12. 

Coast Guard Releases NPRM to Support Sail 4th 250 Event in New York Harbor. The Coast Guard Northeast District recently published a notice of proposed rulemaking to establish various Limited Access Areas and Regulated Navigation Areas throughout New York Harbor to support the Sail 4th 250 celebration happening in New York City July 1-9, 2026. AWO is reviewing the proposal with members and local partners to determine impacts on vessel operations and plans to submit comments based on member feedback. If you're interested in helping to shape AWO's comments, please review the proposal and contact Liam Morcroft with any questions or concerns by February 10. 

Bayou Safety Committee Founded in South Louisiana. The Bayou Safety Committee (BSC), a Coast Guard-authorized Harbor Safety Committee, has been established as a regional forum to address maritime safety issues affecting the marine transportation system in South Louisiana. The Committee provides an open platform for coordination, information sharing, and discussion of operational and safety concerns impacting local waterways and ports, covering navigable waterways and ports from Larose to Intracoastal City, including Grand Isle, the Houma Navigation Canal, the Port Allen Route, and associated offshore waters. This region supports significant towing, offshore service, and port activity, making consistent communication and shared awareness essential to safety for all waterways users.

AWO Comments Support Revised Columbia River Navigation Clearances.  AWO recently submitted comments to the Coast Guard Northwest District on the proposed new Interstate 5 bridge replacement between Portland, OR and Vancouver, WA. The revised proposal would set the new bridge's vertical navigation clearance at 116 feet, replacing the existing movable bridge with a fixed span that provides greater clearance without requiring openings. AWO's comments affirmed that the revised clearance meets members' operational needs and would continue to allow the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' dredge Yaquina to maintain the federal navigation channel.  

AWO also urged the project team and Coast Guard Sector Columbia River to work closely with local operators to minimize disruptions to vessel traffic during construction. AWO will continue to keep members informed as the Interstate 5 Bridge replacement project moves forward. For questions or additional information, please contact Liam Morcroft.

AWO Partners with Marine Log on TTB 2026 Conference -- Register Now! AWO is proud to serve as the official association sponsor of Marine Log magazine's Tugs, Towboats & Barges 2026 conference, Pioneering Progress on America's Waterways. The conference will take place on March 10-11 in Mobile, AL, and will explore the latest practices and technologies to enhance efficiency and drive growth. You can register for the conference here. Early bird registration rates end on February 13, and AWO members can save 20% on their registration using the code TTBAWO.

AWO PAC and Inside Elections. AWO PAC has partnered with Inside Elections for another special edition, featuring a deep dive into the special election to replace Georgia Republican Marjorie Taylor Greene. This edition also includes a look at the jockeying for position in Wyoming since GOP Sen. Cynthia Lummis is retiring and a look at the Republican House majority with Rep. Greene's departure and the unexpected passing of California Republican Doug LaMalfa.

AWO PAC is the connected political action committee for The American Waterways Operators and serves as the trade association's separate segregated fund. As a trade association, AWO is prohibited from using general treasury funds or membership dues to make federal contributions. AWO is one of the most effective advocacy associations in Washington, DC, and relies on voluntary personal contributions to fund AWO PAC.

AWO PAC supports federal candidates who are champions of the U.S. tugboat, towboat and barge industry and who are leaders on issues important to our industry. AWO PAC is dedicated to protecting AWO members' investments in the safest, most environmentally responsible and most economical mode of freight transportation and safeguarding the integrity of the Jones Act to protect the bottom lines of our members.

AWO PAC may solicit contributions from individuals of a member company once the member representative gives AWO written prior approval.

• Atlantic Region Annual Meeting, February 18, Baltimore. Register | Hotel Reservations

• Combined Regions Annual Meeting, February 25-26, New Orleans. Register | Hotel Reservations

• Winter Safety Meeting, February 26, New Orleans. Register | Hotel Reservations

• Pacific Region Annual Meeting, March 10-11, Vancouver, WA. Register | Hotel Reservations

A limited number of exclusive sponsorship opportunities are also still available for select meetings. Learn More.