Terral Expands In Vidalia And Natchez 

Terral RiverService has announced the September 1 acquisition of the assets of Vidalia Dock & Storage Company, Two-J Ranch Inc., 363 Dry-Dock & Repair LLC, and Natchez Marine & Towing Inc., which are the premier fleet and yard operators in the Vidalia, La., and Natchez, Miss., areas. According to Terral, the acquisition includes a total of four towboats, a drydock and a rock yard.

The towboats are the mvs. Bettye Jenkins, Vidalia Dock, Sonny J and Scott.

In addition, Terral has acquired all of Vidalia Dock & Storage’s fleeting locations on the Mississippi River in and around the Vidalia and Natchez areas.  Approximately 30 employees, including vessel crews and shoreside staff, will join Terral.

Terral has been strategically expanding its marine operations, which now include 170 dry cargo barges, 35 boats and seven fleeting areas, and 10 unload rigs all involved in marine transportation, vessel management, dock operations, barge fleeting and logistics.

“This business fits very well with what Terral already knows and does,” said Josh Knichel, director of development, who led the acquisition for Terral. “The fleeting locations and rock yard are well located to assist us in serving many of our existing customers.”

“We’re excited to bring Vidalia Dock & Storage and their subsidiaries under the Terral RiverService flag and grow our inland marine business through this acquisition,” Terral President and CEO Tom Gattle said in a statement. “We’re also pleased to welcome new team members to Terral who will contribute to the success of our customers and the company.”

“All of these new employees bring years of experience and knowledge, and we are excited to have them on board,” Johnny Martin, chief operating officer of Terral, added.

Martin offered a special thanks to Bettye Jenkins, Carla Jenkins, and Sarah Calhoun, the former owners and executive management team of Vidalia Dock and Storage, who helped make the purchase and subsequent transition as seamless as possible.

Sarah Calhoun, granddaughter of Bettye Jenkins, will continue as part of Terral’s team.

“We’re grateful to have Sarah as part of our team and welcome the energy that she brings,” Neil Martin, vice president of services, said. “She’ll continue to help run the day-to-day operations of the business and will ensure excellent continuity of service for customers,” Gabe Gattle, vice president of vessel operations, added.

Caption for photo: From left: Neil Martin, Carla Jenkins, Sarah Calhoun, Bettye Jenkins, Lauren Lucas and Joshua Knichel. (Photo courtesy of Terral RiverService)