Sustainability

2023 Sustainability Report and Climate Transition Plan

A Letter From the CEO

I wrote last year about “resilience” as an attribute that has been a driving force throughout the history of American Commercial Barge Line (ACBL). Well, 2023 was a year full of challenges that, once again, tested the resilience of ACBL and our Team Members. I’m proud to report that we passed that test and emerged even stronger due to the efforts and contributions of our extraordinary Team Members.

Before I delve into some of the highlights and accomplishments from 2023, I would like to amplify a few of the stories contained in the Report.

First, as many operators do, ACBL financially supports multiple industry organizations. However, what I believe to be even more impactful and highly support and encourage, is the leadership roles and active participation our Team Members take within these industry organizations.

I could not be prouder of the efforts of our Team Members that you will read about in this Report regarding their roles in collaborating with the U.S. Coast Guard and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (through industry organizations like IWUB, LOMARC and RIETF) to lead our industry and partners through the low-water conditions faced throughout 2023. Your hard work and dedication ensured the reliability and efficiency of our inland waterway network on behalf of our stakeholders, customers and our Nation. Thank you.

I’d also like to highlight the stories of the heroic efforts of the crews of the M/V Ron Callegan and M/V Safety Explorer, as recipients of the Hero Award from American Waterways Operators, and the crew of the M/V Mike Sanders, as recipients of the Life Saving Award at Seaman’s Church Institute’s 2023 Riverbell Awards. I’m very proud to celebrate the efforts of these ACBL Team Members as real-life examples of our IMPACT Core Value of Mutual Care.

Decarbonization Challenges

Finally, while we continue to make progress on our Climate Transition Plan, we also face significant headwinds on our sustainability journey. The 12,000- mile U.S. inland waterway network of commercially navigable waterways moves over 500 million tons of freight annually and is the critical backbone of the competitive advantage enjoyed by our farmers, domestic shippers and exporters. Further, inland waterway transportation is currently the most fuel-efficient and cost-effective method to transport goods.

However, our industry faces significant challenges in maintaining this advantage and to the development of commercially-viable, innovative technology and vessels to support the climate goals of our customers. Without the support and partnership of our customers, this advantage will erode and progress on “greener” innovation will be stifled.

Many of you have been willing to partner with us on this journey, in support of your own climate goals. We thank you, as we cannot do it alone.

Finally, I want to thank all our customers, partners, owners, Team Members and all other stakeholders for their tremendous support in 2023. A year where we, together, tackled all the challenges we faced and became stronger. I encourage you to explore this Report and learn more about the progress of our Sustainability Program in 2023.

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2022 Sustainability Report