Artificial Intelligence in the Tugboat, Towboat and Barge Industry: 2026 AWO Member Survey

The American Waterways Operators’ 2026 survey examines how 24 member organizations use and evaluate artificial intelligence across maritime operations. Findings cover AI adoption, office productivity, safety and compliance, incident analysis, training, dispatch, maintenance, cybersecurity, and management reporting. Members describe time savings, emerging applications, and concerns about inaccurate answers and reliance on AI without human review. The report highlights current adoption patterns, opportunities for operational improvement, and demand for practical examples from tugboat, towboat, and barge companies exploring responsible AI implementation.