Founded after the acquisition of Joliet Harbor Service in December 1987, Illinois Marine Towing includes the largest fleet of harbor and towing vessels in the Chicago Harbor, a quick-repair shipyard, a dry cargo terminal, liquid and dry cargo barge cleaning, barge readiness services and now crewing services. IMT continues to be the best-in-class provider of marine services in the Chicago Harbor and down the Illinois River.

Canal Barge Company acquired the company in 2008, and it currently operators as a wholly owned subsidiary of Canal Barge Company of New Orleans, Louisiana.