As MJ Johnson and the Vessel Operations team took a closer look at the boats already in ACBL’s fleet, one question came up: how do we get more out of what we have?
That question led to a new operating approach on the canal.
We knew we were leaving something on the table.
MJ Johnson, Vice President of Vessel Operations
The boats were already in place. The opportunity was in how they were being used.
That thinking evolved into ACBL’s 8-pack strategy, a way of operating that allows eight barges to move through the canal using boats already in service. It was not about adding more equipment. It was about making better use of the assets already in place and building the right operating model around them.
MJ’s first call was to Port Captain Dallas Theriot, someone he trusts deeply. As MJ put it, ‘When he speaks about marine transportation, I listen.” His experience helped confirm the concept could work. The configuration was designed with six loaded barges and two empties, a setup that improves handling and made the idea practical to execute.
What started as just an idea, like how can we get more out of our boats, it became really clear really fast that this is something we can deliver.
MJ Johnson
From there, the strategy moved from concept to execution. Before putting it into operation, the team worked closely with regulatory agencies to demonstrate that the 8-pack could be moved safely on the canal. After securing their approval, ACBL became the first in the industry to accomplish such an impressive feat. Today, seven boats are operating in this model, including the newest addition to the fleet, the M/V Michael B. Johnson.
That growth did not happen because of equipment alone. It happened because of the people running it.
I’m pretty proud to say that we accomplished this. But make no mistake, this wasn’t achieved by Dallas and me. It’s the mariners. It’s the guys and gals afloat. We’ve got to stick to our standards, because that’s what separates us.
MJ Johnson
Canal operations demand experience and judgment every time a tow faces up. Conditions change constantly, and no two trips are exactly the same. That is why this strategy depends on more than the boats themselves. It depends on the mariners executing the work and the standards they follow every day.
The canal system plays an important role in how cargo moves across ACBL’s network, connecting the Lower Mississippi River to key Gulf ports and supporting east-west movement across the network. In many cases, this work is part of the final stretch of the trip, where larger line-haul movements are broken down and delivered to their next destination.
That is why the 8-pack strategy matters beyond a single tow. It reflects a practical way to expand what the fleet can do, strengthen performance across the network, and deliver more value using the assets already in service.