This acquisition, which closed on August 28, 2025, represents a transformative milestone for Maritime Partners, expanding its operational capabilities in the Jones Act-qualified liquid petroleum barge sector and broadening its service offerings in petroleum transport and storage, ship assist and escort services, and rescue towing. Centerline’s management team will remain in place, ensuring continuity of operations.

A multidisciplinary Reed Smith team, led by corporate partners Jim Mercadante and Seth Merl, advised Maritime Partners on all aspects of the transaction, including complex legal issues spanning the Jones Act and maritime law (led by transportation partner Han Deng), environmental compliance, real estate, tax, litigation, labor, employee benefits, insurance, antitrust, and amendments to securitized loan facilities (led by finance partner Jeffrey Stern).