YOUR PARTNER FOR MARINE TRANSPORTATION SOLUTIONS.
WE PROVIDE OUR CUSTOMER-PARTNERS
Safe, Reliable & Efficient Shipping Solutions
Founded in 1978, Marquette Transportation Company is the leading provider of barge towing services across America’s Inland Waterways. Our integrated towing network spans over 6,000 navigable waterways including the Mississippi River System and its tributaries, the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway and the near-shore tugboat market. With over 1,700 skilled mariners and a passionate shoreside team, we ensure the safe, reliable and efficient transportation of bulk commodities in support of our customer partners.
OPERATIONS & SERVICES
Where We Operate
Our skilled crews navigate thousands of miles along America’s waterways, including the Inland River System, the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway from Brownsville, Texas, to the Florida Panhandle, to the Gulf of America, Eastern Seaboard, Caribbean and beyond.
RIVER
Based in Paducah, KY, Marquette’s River Division operates across America’s Inland River System, including the Upper and Lower Mississippi, the Illinois, Ohio and the Tennessee Rivers along with all tributaries.
GULF-INLAND
Based in St. Rose, LA, Marquette’s Gulf-Inland Division operates on the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway in addition to the Lower Mississippi and Arkansas Rivers and the Tenn-Tom.
OFFSHORE
Based in Lockport, LA, Marquette’s Offshore Division primarily operates on the Gulf of America, Eastern Seaboard, Caribbean and beyond.
Marquette Services
Our comprehensive range of inland marine shipping solutions and supply chain management services is designed to meet the unique needs of our customers, adapting to the challenges of every route and market. With a fleet of over 130 tow-and-tugboats ranging from 1,000-10,000 HP, Marquette is well-equipped with the power and versatility needed to efficiently serve the entire waterway system and handle a wide range of transportation needs.
TON-MILE TOWING
Marquette offers one of the largest and most diverse horsepower fleets in the towing industry. With dedicated personnel across every major river segment, our coverage extends throughout the Mississippi River System up to St. Paul and Chicago, the Ohio River system and along the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway from Brownsville, TX, to St. Marks, FL. This expansive footprint, combined with our versatile fleet, enables us to offer flexible towing schedules and tailored towing solutions for bulk commodities, including rock, coal, sand, aggregate and agricultural products.
VESSEL CHARTERS
Marquette’s success is rooted in long-standing partnerships with our customers and industry peers, strengthened by innovative solutions that adapt to the ever-changing demands of transportation.
With one of the largest and most diverse fleets in the industry, including ABS offshore vessels, we offer flexible chartering options for your logistics team, providing horsepower on both bareboat and fully found arrangements.
BARGE SERVICES
As a barge operator, our commitment is to offer unparalleled service to all customers. Beyond barge affreightment and our primary open-hopper services, we also provide covered barges for both short and long-term charters.
OPEN HOPPER
Marquette operates approximately 300 open top barges with a mix of 12′ and 13′ drafts to optimize tonnage based on origin and destination. Our dedicated shoreside logistics team proactively manages customer freight programs with daily barge status updates, clear communication and 24/7 support. As a mid-sized fleet, we are committed to delivering reliable, high-quality customer service.
JOIN OUR TEAM
VESSEL-BASED CAREERS
Are you looking for a rewarding career on the water that offers significant opportunities for growth?
At Marquette, our mariners are the backbone of everything we do. We’re always looking to hire hardworking, dedicated individuals to join our team! As a Marquette Mariner, you’ll be part of a dynamic, tight-knit team that plays a vital role in all elements of vessel operations. We offer a unique, family-oriented culture that puts our People first and supports your growth every step of the way. Join our team as we work together to Conquer Every Mile and Conquer Harm!
Whether you’re an experienced mariner or just starting out, we provide on-the-job training and a career ladder with clear paths for advancement. We’re proud that many of our team members who started as Deckhand Trainees are now living out their career goals in Deck Leadership, the Engine Room or the Wheelhouse.
SHORE-BASED CAREERS
Our shoreside teams work hard to support our mariners and customer partners. We have a variety of roles across Accounting, Analytics, Human Resources, Information Technology, Logistics, Risk Management, Vessel Operations and Vessel Engineering.
We look to build and promote from within and are proud to foster an innovative, supportive and collaborative environment where you can thrive and grow in your role at any of our four shore-side locations.
INDUSTRY PARTNERSHIPS
