Lake and River Shipping Trade Associations

American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA)

Unified voice of seaports throughout the Americas; represents public port authorities (including U.S. Great Lakes and river ports) and their industry partners on infrastructure, trade, security, and environmental policy.

https://www.aapa-ports.org Membership: 130

American Waterways Operators (AWO)

National trade association for the U.S. tugboat, towboat, and barge industry operating on rivers, coasts, and the Great Lakes; advocates safety, infrastructure, and Jones Act policies.

https://www.americanwaterways.com Membership: 300

Association of Canadian Port Authorities (ACPA)

National voice of Canada’s federally governed ports, including Great Lakes–St. Lawrence ports; coordinates advocacy and best practices across the 17 Canada Port Authorities.

https://acpa-aapc.ca/ Membership: 17

Central Dredging Association (CEDA)

European dredging association whose membership spans more than 200 individual and 100+ corporate members; shares technical knowledge and standards relevant to port and waterway dredging.

https://www.dredging.org Membership: 300

Dredging Contractors of America (DCA)

U.S. industry association of dredging contractors advocating for navigation channel maintenance and coastal/waterway projects.

https://dredgingcontractors.org Membership: 28

European Federation of Inland Ports (EFIP)

Federation representing nearly 200 inland ports and port authorities across Europe; promotes policy and development of river and canal ports.

https://www.inlandports.eu Membership: 200

European Tugowners Association (ETA)

Association of European towage companies; 81 full members operate 800+ tugs, with relevance to harbor/river towage at inland and seaports.

https://eurotugowners.com Membership: 81

Great Lakes Maritime Task Force (GLMTF)

Binational Great Lakes shipping coalition of carriers, ports, labor, and suppliers; coordinates advocacy on dredging, icebreaking, locks, ballast water, and more.

https://glmtf.org Membership: 80

Gulf Intracoastal Canal Association (GICA)

Trade association facilitating safe, reliable, and efficient navigation on the 1,200‑mile Gulf Intracoastal Waterway; cross‑sector membership of operators and stakeholders.

https://www.gicaonline.com Membership: 150

Huntington District Waterways Association (HDWA)

Regional association of companies relying on the Ohio, Big Sandy, and Kanawha rivers; promotes safe commercial navigation and coordinates with USACE/USCG.

https://www.huntingtonwaterways.com Membership: 40

Inland Rivers, Ports & Terminals, Inc. (IRPT)

Nationwide trade association for inland ports, terminals, shippers, carriers, and allied firms; provides advocacy, networking, and market intelligence across U.S. inland waterways.

https://www.irpt.net Membership: 300

Lake Carriers’ Association (LCA)

Advocacy body for U.S.-flag Great Lakes carriers; represents vessel owners on dredging, pilotage, icebreaking, and regulatory issues.

https://lcaships.com Membership: 13

Maritime Exchange for the Delaware River and Bay

Nonprofit trade association serving the tri‑state Delaware River/Bay port community; provides advocacy and information systems, with a membership of nearly 300 businesses.

https://www.maritimedelriv.com Membership: 300

Mississippi River Network (MRN)

Coalition of 58 organizations advancing a healthier Mississippi River through policy, science, and public engagement—supporting both environmental and working‑river priorities.

https://mississippiriver.org/ Membership: 58

Ohio River Basin Alliance (ORBA)

Open, member‑driven alliance of 800+ stakeholders advocating for healthy ecosystems, thriving river communities, and water‑dependent economies across the Ohio River Basin.

https://www.ohioriverbasinalliance.org Membership: 800

Pacific Northwest Waterways Association (PNWA)

Non‑partisan trade association advocating for navigation, energy, trade, and economic development across the Columbia–Snake and broader Pacific Northwest waterway system.

https://www.pnwa.net Membership: 150

Ports Association of Louisiana (PAL)

Statewide association uniting Louisiana’s public port authorities and industry partners; includes 32 corporate (port) members and ~85 associates to advance port and waterway issues.

https://www.portsoflouisiana.org Membership: 117

U.S. Great Lakes Shipping Association (USGLSA)

Association of Great Lakes vessel agents and stevedores serving all major U.S. Great Lakes ports; coordinates operational issues and policy affecting lake shipping.

https://www.usglsa.org Membership: 5

Upper Mississippi, Illinois & Missouri Rivers Association (UMIMRA)

Grassroots regional association focused on levee, navigation, and river‑resource issues on the Upper Mississippi, Illinois, and Missouri rivers; expanded since 1954 to several hundred members.

https://www.umimra.org Membership: 300

Western Dredging Association (WEDA)

Professional association for the dredging sector across the Americas; shares best practices and hosts events central to maintaining ports and inland waterways.

https://www.westerndredging.org Membership: 593