WHY MARQUETTE?
We are an Industry Leader.
At Marquette, we value the safety of our people, our equipment and the environment. In everything we do, we stay grounded by these values and our commitment to Conquer Harm, and our purpose to Conquer Every Mile.
Conquer Harm: Commitment to Safety
We are unwavering in our commitment to protect the safety of our people, equipment and the environment. Culture is the foundation of our safety efforts. We continuously innovate and invest in our Conquer Harm programs to enhance our safety performance.
Examples include our Stop Work Responsibility that gives every team member the authority to speak up and halt operations if they identify a potential safety risk and our industry-leading Tethering system, which works to prevent falls overboard.
Conquer Every Mile: Commitment to Excellence
Our commitment to Conquer Harm is the foundation of our operational excellence: A Conquered Mile is a Safe Mile. Our Purpose to Conquer Every Mile reflects that success in our markets requires our teams to work closely and to adapt to the dynamic operating environment to safely deliver marine transporation solutions for our customers by conquering every mile, every watch, every day. This commitment to excellence drives our team to uphold the highest standards in safety, service and environmental responsibility.
Powered by our People: Team Capabilities
We are Powered by our People. While we operate a large fleet of high-value equipment, our PEOPLE are the cornerstone of our success. The skills, passion and commitment of our mariners and shore-based teams enable Marquette to service our customer partners across over 6,000 miles of navigable waterways. Our People value statement reflects our roots as a family-run business where we respect and care for one another as family. At Marquette, we are more than numbers, we are one Marquette Family.
Performance: Investments in Equipment
We operate over 130 tow-and-tug boats that range from 1,000-10,000 HP. Our boat-focused operating model makes re-investing in our vessels a strategic priority. We are proud to operate over 60% of the industry’s large HP towboats that have been constructed in the last 30 years and to be a leader in introducing new technologies within our fleet. On our boats, we maintain and refresh the living quarters for our mariners, in addition to the maintenance of the operating equipment. Measuring performance is an ongoing investment that we believe is vital to our continous improvement.
2024 Year in Review
SAFE Watch Percentage
Barge Miles Conquered
of Grain Moved
What We Move
GRAINS
Corn, soybeans and wheat are popular grains we transport. These commodities are transported in a covered barge, to avoid being exposed to weather conditions.
NON-GRAIN
Rock/aggregates, steel products, fertilizer and salt are popular non-grain products we move. These are vital commodities for infrastructure that are needed across the world.
LIQUID COMMODITIES
Chemicals, oil and gasoline are common liquid commodities our Gulf-Inland team transports. Our teams undergo strenuous safety audits to ensure the safe handling of these products.
PROJECT CARGO/SPECIALTY PRODUCT
Our vessels have the capability to move a variety of products, and on occasion will move specialty items such as windmill blades, construction machinery and space rockets.
FOUNDED IN 1978
Marquette Transportation Company
is a leading provider of marine transportation solutions across America’s inland waterways. Marquette traces its roots to Cassville, WI, where Cassville native Ray Eckstein founded Marquette.
Ray formed Marquette after previously founding Wisconsin Barge Lines in 1958. He named Marquette after both his alma mater, Marquette University and Father Jacques Marquette, a Jesuit missionary who explored the Mississippi River.
Ray named his son, John Eckstein, President of Marquette in 1991. One of John’s early decisions was to relocate Marquette’s headquarters from Cassville to Paducah, KY, in 1991. All personnel in Cassville were offered jobs in Paducah, and many made the move. John was essential in positioning Marquette as the industry’s premier fleet of large horsepower towboats.
In 2007, Marquette expanded by adding two divisions located in Louisiana. The Gulf-Inland division and the Offshore division. During 2007, Marquette also moved its headquarters to its current location in the Paducah Commerce Park
In June 2020, John transitioned from CEO to Executive Chairman as part of a long-term succession plan. During John’s 29 years as Marquette’s CEO, the company expanded from a fleet of five towboats in a single division to a fleet of over 130 tow and tugboats operating across the entirety of the Mississippi River System and Gulf Intra-Coastal Waterway.
