Posts By: elcapo

Low water blockages impede Mississippi River transit

Another difficulty in a season of near-record low river levels Barge traffic on the Lower Mississippi River (LMR) has been slowed to a crawl. Blockages at mile 525 (LMR) and at mile 545 (LMR) have limited southbound and northbound barge movement. Three Terral fleet boats are caught in the impasse, delaying scheduled rock and coal… Read more »

Fertilizer prices cause for concern

Fertilizer prices presented our company with many difficulties during the spring season. Never have we seen such potential for loss, with prices remaining very high, especially in urea. The urea market is currently inverted, with the nearby price much greater than the deferred pricing. This price structure was driven by a shortage of product, which… Read more »

Terral remembers Tim Duplechain

Terral is deeply saddened by the passing of Tim Duplechain, who was taken by cancer on May 3, 2012. Tim managed our Mermentau, Louisiana operation since its opening in 2004. He was an outstanding employee; we wish we had a hundred more just like him. Tim will be missed by everyone in the Terral family…. Read more »

Newest addition to Terral fleet nears completion

The newest boat in the Terral fleet is in its final stages of construction. Mid South Marine plans to complete the 1,200 HP vessel by mid-July. The new boat will be named in honor of long-time employee Kim King, who has been with the company since 1980. Kim’s career began in reception. She now works… Read more »

New Titles for Terral Leaders

A shift in roles within the Management Team John (Johnny) A. Martin, Jr. has moved from Marine Division Manager to Chief Operating Officer of Terral. In his place, Gabriel (Gabe) Gattle will take over as Marine Division Manager. We are pleased to announce this change and are confident the leadership and experience of both Johnny… Read more »

Terral commissions new harbor boat

Terral RiverService has commissioned the building of a new 1,200 HP harbor boat. The boat should be completed by mid-July in time to accommodate Lake Providence’s seasonally busy grain movement. This new harbor boat also will help facilitate additional tonnage from the new succinic acid plant being constructed at the port in Lake Providence by… Read more »

Lake Providence fertilizer warehouse renovations complete

Terral RiverService has completed a total renovation of its fertilizer warehouse in Lake Providence, Louisiana. We are proud of the fact that we did not disrupt our customer service; the project was accomplished without interrupting the loading or receiving product. Our management team developed the plan, and we achieved it with the help of Bo… Read more »

Chuck Stogner heads up Gulf Coast aggregate sales

We are pleased to announce the hiring of Chuck Stogner as head of Gulf Coast aggregate sales for Terral RiverService. Chuck has 30 years’ experience in the aggregate business, having worked for Vulcan, Martin Marietta, and La Farge. He has nurtured strong relationships with many customers in this area, and his understanding of barge logistics… Read more »

Early Spring in Mid-South, fieldwork begins

Spring has come early in the Mid-South. A short winter means fieldwork is already in full swing. Prices for fertilizer have been on the rebound, and many of our locations are moving product at peak-season rates. Hopefully we will be able to keep product available to accommodate this very strong movement.

Terral Completes Construction of New Grain Bins in Tallulah

450,000 bushels of storage Terral RiverService has completed construction of two 250,000-bushel capacity grain bins at its Tallulah, Louisiana industrial site. A tornado hit the facility in April of last year, destroying a 365,000-bushel grain storage tank and over 6,000,000 gallons of liquid fertilizer storage. Terral rebuilt the two liquid tanks and has just completed… Read more »

River Crests at Terral Sites

Madison Port Facility, Tallulah, Louisiana Record-high waters begin to recede The Mississippi River at Greenville, Mississippi has crested and is showing a slow fall. We are hopeful we can be back in business at our Greenville operation by the first of June. Yesterday we saw a crest at Lake Providence and are expecting a very slow… Read more »

High Water Update

Mississippi River flooding limits service Terral RiverService is currently coping with a very high Mississippi River, unlike any we have ever seen or hope to see again. Rains in the Ohio Valley and the Upper Mississippi River have created a record-high water event on the Lower Mississippi River. The Army Corps of Engineers is projecting… Read more »