January 1, 2024, marked Loadstar’s entry into barge fleeting services. Loadstar operates the 166 Fleet, located at Mile Marker 166 on the Lower Mississippi River, just below the Sunshine Bridge in the heart of Louisiana’s industrial corridor. The fleet is owned by American Styrenics (AmSty), which contracted with Loadstar to provide a crewed vessel to operate and continuously monitor the fleet. Loadstar also provides Coast Guard-qualified operators at AmSty’s nearby dock facility, as well as tankermen.
“AmSty is an example of complementary services that add value for our customers,” said Loadstar CEO Brian Haymon. “Each of our service offerings—fleeting, dock, barge tankering—promotes a safe and highly efficient marine operation,” he added.
Loadstar chartered a 1250 hp boat, the M/V Cristo Santo, from Marquette Towing. The boat has been repainted in the company’s trademark blue and white and features the Loadstar name and logo. “Our crew took a lot of pride in making the boat our own,” says Captain Dwain McCray. “All of us are excited to be part of Loadstar. We want to show the industry what we can do.”
The fleet can hold up to 28 barges depending on vessel size. Crewmembers secure barges in the fleet, make regular rounds, and perform any needed minor maintenance and make-ready. Some barges move to and from the nearby AmSty dock, while others are fleeted to await transit elsewhere.
The boat is equipped with Loadstar’s proprietary Aegis logistics software. It provides a dashboard of vessel information and other key indicators to AmSty personnel in the plant and at the company’s corporate office in Houston.
Pictured above is Loadstar’s chartered 1250 hp boat, the M/V Cristo Santo with crew members (L to R): Mickey Boudreaux, Deckhand; Dwain McCray, Captain; Ryan Vaughn, Captain
