SALISBURY, MD. — Perdue AgriBusiness (PAB) introduced the “Miss Madeline,” a new vessel to improve supply chain efficiencies and revolutionize freight transportation by reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The barge will replace truck and rail transportation methods, exemplifying Perdue’s commitment to environmental stewardship.

The Miss Madeline is named after the matriarch of the Perdue family, Madeline Perdue.

“My mom would be proud to see the ways our 104-year-old company keeps innovating,” said Jim Perdue, chairman of Perdue Farms. “She loved Salisbury and the company, and naming this barge for her is a fitting tribute to her legacy.”

The Miss Madeline completed her maiden voyage on Nov. 22, arriving safely back at Perdue’s home front in Salisbury, Md. The barge, with its divided cargo tanks, transported 9 million lbs of crude soybean oil in a single trip from PAB’s soybean crush plant in Chesapeake, Va., to the company’s headquarters via the Intercoastal Waterway.

Every shipment made through the Miss Madeline is the equivalent of 200 loaded trucks on the roadways from Virginia to Maryland. PAB estimates that the barge will eliminate more than 1.2 million truck miles driven every year, which is approximately 1,475 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions.

“The Miss Madeline is more than just a barge — it’s a symbol of our enduring commitment to sustainability and innovation,” said Perry Aulie, president of PAB. “As we honor the legacy of Madeline Perdue, we’re also embracing new logistics solutions that benefit both local agriculture and the environment.”