TTB 2026: Where AI is delivering results on the river
Written by Heather Ervin
Photo Credit: VideoFow
A panel at Marine Log‘s upcoming Tugs, Towboats & Barge (TTB) 2026 conference entilted “AI on the River: Where Automation Is Actually Paying Off Today” will take a practical, real-world look at how artificial intelligence and advanced technology are being deployed across tug, towboat and barge operations and where those investments are delivering measurable results today. The session will be held March 10–11 in Mobile, Ala.
As digital tools move from pilot projects to fleetwide deployment, operators are increasingly focused on solutions that improve safety, reduce risk, increase reliability and deliver real efficiency and cost savings. From navigation safety enhancements and predictive maintenance to voyage and vessel optimization, AI-driven technologies are reshaping how work gets done on the water. This panel will focus on how those tools are being applied in day-to-day operations, the operational problems they are designed to solve, and the tangible impacts they are having on performance.
Panelists will share firsthand experience with implementation—what has worked, what hasn’t, and where hurdles remain, including data integration, crew adoption and scaling challenges. The discussion will also look ahead at where automation is headed next and how operators can evaluate which technologies are worth investing in as digitalization across the towing sector continues to accelerate.
The session will be moderated by Chris Law, senior vice president of marine risk engineering and loss control, U.S. Marine Practice at Aon. Panelists include Michael Baldwin, co-founder and COO of OpenTug; Kyle Durden, president and CEO of Bergan Marine Systems; and Cosmo King, CEO and chief innovation officer of ioCurrents.
TTB 2026 will bring together tug, towboat and barge operators, suppliers and industry stakeholders to address the most pressing operational and regulatory issues facing the towing industry.
Registration is open. For questions on sponsorships, please contact David Harkey at [email protected].
Categories: Inland, Inland and Coastal, News, Technology
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