Hines Furlong to acquire Campbell Transportation’s River Division

Nashville, Tenn.-based Hines Furlong Line Inc. (HFL) reports that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire the River Division of Houston, Pa.-based Campbell Transportation Company.

The transaction is expected to close in the first quarter of 2026, subject to regulatory approvals and closing conditions.

“The transaction brings together two organizations with deep roots along America’s inland waterways, each built on a reputation for safety, dependable service, and continuous investments in their fleets and people,” says HFL. “Together, Hines Furlong Line and the Campbell Transportation Company River Division will strengthen overall inland river operations and extend capacity along the Ohio River.”

“As two long-standing, family-led organizations, HFL and CTC share not only a deep respect for the rivers we operate on, but also a commitment to the people who navigate them and the communities they serve,” said Kent Furlong, president and founder of Hines Furlong Line. “Our newer and recently refurbished vessel fleet adds significant capabilities to the CTC River Division’s existing service lines, enabling us to continue providing reliable, high-quality equipment supported by the trusted people and standards that both HFL and CTC customers rely on. At the same time, we are honored to carry forward the legacy that Campbell has built over decades, while uniting complementary trade lines, vessels, and—most importantly— cultures under a single, shared purpose.”

Once the transaction is closed, the combined organization will have more than 800 employees. HFL will then own and/or manage 870 hopper and tank barges, 64 inland towboats, and 1,000 permitted fleeting spaces throughout the inland waterway system, and oversee two shipyards and support facilities serving key river corridors.

“Kent Furlong has a deep understanding and commitment to the river industry. He will provide a good home to our River Division employees,” said Peter Stephaich, executive chairman, Campbell Transportation Company, Inc. “Kyle Buese will continue at the helm of Campbell, now exclusively focused as a tank barge operator, while HFL carries forward our River Division legacy with the same integrity that has defined us for generations.”

“Our people and our customers are at the heart of every decision we make,” added Kyle Buese, president and CEO, Campbell Transportation Company, Inc. “By positioning our Gulf Division as a stand-alone company and aligning our river operations with HFL, we’re building a future where both can grow stronger, invest deeper, and respond faster to changing market needs.”

Campbell’s Gulf Division will continue to operate under the Campbell Transportation Company brand and be headquartered in Houston, Texas, at one of its existing corporate offices.

Hines Furlong Line will maintain its existing operations in Nashville, Tennessee, Paducah, Kentucky, and add the River Division’s Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania operations, expanding its presence to both ends of the Ohio River.

The post Hines Furlong to acquire Campbell Transportation’s River Division appeared first on Marine Log.