As the Owner of Cenac Marine Services, Arlen “Benny” Cenac Jr. has always prided himself and his businesses on having a strong ethic for safety and serving his community. Benny is a third-generation owner of CMS which was originally founded in 1927 by his grandfather. Under his tenure as owner, Benny, has led the company since 1981 through several i
ndustry hardships by focusing on customer service, efficiency, quality and safety in its marine transportation services.
In a recent article written by the Waterways Journal, Cenac is recognized for his devotion to his local community and safety measures that are reinforced every day at Cenac Marine Services. From barge donations and education contributions to company commitment and environmental stewardship, Benny’s pledge to better his people and his community is steadfast.
One of the many donations CEO Benny Cenac made on behalf of Cenac Marine Services took place in 2016 when a spud barge was gifted to Terrebonne Parish and the Terrebonne Levee and Conservation District (WJ, August 22, 2016). One of the parish’s barges was undergoing maintenance at Main Iron Works when shipyard employees discovered significant structural issues. The newly built barge- free of charge, was an easy choice for Mr. Cenac. He stated the donation was “all about love and home”.
Cenac was also highlighted for his recent donation made to South Louisiana Community College. A barge that measures 158 feet by 40 feet and replicates a standard Cenac Marine Services tank barge was given to the school to be used in their workforce development program. South Louisiana Community College instructors will use the barge to help train the next generation of maritime industry leaders according to Waterways Journal.
When it comes to safety of our people at CMS, we have perfected the process of training and preparation. As a towboat operator and transporter of petroleum products, Cenac Marine Serives requires all employees to complete a total of 38 safety courses besides standard chemical H2S and benzene courses. The company also closely monitors and records near miss data. An investigation follows every near-miss incident, with company leaders producing a post-event training slideshow for crew members to review. We can never be too careful. “The foundation of safety is having the best equipment maintained at the highest levels,” Cenac said. “Minimizing failures, malfunctions and downtime all work together to increase the safety of our people and our fleet. Environmental awareness only enhances these by protecting our home field, so to speak. We live, work and play in the same environment and want to keep it at the same level as we do for our equipment, facilities and our employees.”