OpenTug

We are thrilled to partner with Princeton TMX enabling their shippers to compare quotes, book capacity, and track shipments over inland and coastal waterways with OpenTug BargeOS. Read the full press release here! 👇

In the world of barge transportation, lock failures and closures pose significant risks, often leading to costly delays and disrupted supply chains. Effective risk management requires not only quick decision-making but also access to real-time data and robust planning tools. Take, for example, the recent and catastrophic Demopolis lock failure after the discovery of cracks and leaks in the infrastructure. The unexpected failure of this critical infrastructure caused significant delays, as it effectively halted traffic along one of the busiest waterways in the US. Barge operators were forced to reroute their vessels, adding both time and costs to their voyages. The closure highlights the growing need for a more agile approach to managing such disruptions. After all, rerouting isn’t just a reactionary measure; it’s a proactive risk management strategy. By analyzing historical data and current conditions, operators can anticipate potential closures and plan alternative routes in advance. This minimizes disruptions and helps maintain the flow of goods even when the unexpected happens. OpenTug’s BargeOS platform is designed to support these critical decisions. By providing operators with real-time data on lock statuses, water levels, and alternative routes, BargeOS empowers operators to make informed decisions quickly. This not only reduces the impact of closures but also optimizes voyage planning and enhances overall operational efficiency. Check out a video demo of the voyage planning tool here: https://lnkd.in/erCnx2dR #VoyagePlanning #LockandDam #BargeTransportation

What's my avg fuel burn per lane? How fast do I go per river? What boat in my fleet is the fastest? What is my utilization? OpenTug's latest reporting module enables you to use your live data & AI to answer marine questions and build self-updating dashboards. If you had a magic wand to answer questions about your marine operations what would you ask? Now you do! #opentug #customreporting #ai #barge #bargeai

How can tracking ETAs, vessel locations, and scheduling impact the marine logistics industry at-large? Providing visibility into vessels and cargo moving over US waterways not only benefits the transportation companies by improving scheduling and minimizing critical errors, but it also fosters trust and connectivity in a process that is often fragmented. With OpenTug, users even get insights into their financial data by receiving an instant view of profit and loss. See the full Q&A here: https://lnkd.in/e6rhDZip #BargeTracking #RiverVisibility #CargoVisibility 

As we navigate hurricane season, how prepared is your barge operation to weather the storm? Hurricane season is upon us, and with that comes an array of challenges for marine transportation. Inland barge transport is particularly vulnerable to the effects of hurricanes due to the critical role that rivers like the Mississippi play in moving bulk commodities. Hurricanes season can bring about serious disruption including:  🌀 Rapid changes in water levels—either causing flooding, or low water conditions due to upstream droughts exacerbated by the storm’s wind patterns. 🌀 The forced closure of key locks and dams due to dangerous navigation conditions 🌀 Reduction in barge capacity as an implication of restricted barge draft 🌀 Clogged river channels requiring dredging to restore navigability So how can we, as an industry, mitigate these impacts? Fortunately, the industry has employed several key strategies including pre-storm vessel repositioning, enhanced communication, and the development of Waterways Action Plans. Advanced monitoring systems and predictive analytics, like OpenTug's BargeOS tools, also play a critical role, helping operators anticipate disruptions and adjust their strategies in real-time. While hurricanes are inevitable, the disruptions they cause don’t have to be. By implementing strategic measures and leveraging powerful tools, the industry can better prepare for and minimize the effects of these powerful storms, ensuring that our vital supply chains continue to operate smoothly. #HurricaneSeason #BargeTransport #RiverVisibility 

Looking to get started with OpenTug but not sure what product is right for you? Check out our plans page to get a breakdown of our tools and features! https://opentug.com/plans #TugandBarge #MarineLogistics #BulkandBreakbulk

OpenTug Line Haul 🚀 Estimate line haul costs in seconds We just released our new line haul platform, enabling users to instantly estimate the costs of shipping barges anywhere on the river system. The new model enables users to supercharge their quoting process: - Create & store towing tariffs - Establish fleeting, shifting & other 3rd party costs per location - Automatic route plans including interchange locations - Estimate ETAs - Benchmark actuals - Refine assumptions through feedback loops Reach out to me to start achieving new goals on the rivers #barge #linehaul #marinetechnology #opentug

Major flooding on the Upper Mississippi is beginning to subside, with Lock & Dam 17 expected to open on the evening of the 15th to get barges sailing again. OpenTug is integrating critical data sources into our situationally aware cost estimating and voyage planning technology to help logitsics professionals make the decisions needed to move the nation's critical goods as efficiently as possible. What inland river data would you like to see next?  

Why do top marine logistics companies choose BargeOS Tracking? ✔ Automated Position Reporting ✔ Real-Time Alerts and Notifications ✔ Integrates with Existing Systems ✔ Unified Data Insights & Analytics We’d love to help you get started! Speak with a team member today and find out how OpenTug’s SaaS tools can benefit your business. https://lnkd.in/e5tgTuqj #BargeTracking #RiverVisibility #CargoVisibility

What do MARAD and OpenTug have in common? MARAD promotes the utilization of marine highways through the Marine Highway Program, while OpenTug enhances visibility over vital marine routes. For logistics professionals moving cargo over US waterways, partnerships that enhance the experience and foster more shipping over our rivers and coasts are essential! Learn more about the Marine Highway Program in our recent blog post: https://lnkd.in/e_zA7kYd #MarineHighways #OpenTug #Visibility