Continued Investment Strengthens Key US Midwest Ports
More than a half a billion dollars in recent, current or expected improvements at three Midwestern ports will strengthen these facilities and reinforce their important roles in the global freight network. The significant investments at Port KC, America’s Central Port, and Kaskaskia Regional Port District, along with new infrastructure funding recently secured, will spur an increase in barge services and deliver cost efficiencies that drive profitability for the industry. Port KC is located on the Missouri River.
St. Louis Region’s Agriculture Freight Network Poised for Growth
As cargo handling capacity increases along the Mississippi River, this 15-mile section of the Mighty Mississippi is being called the Ag Coast. Located in the heartland of America, one 15-mile section of the Mississippi River in the St. Louis, Missouri, region delivers the highest level of grain barge handling capacity anywhere along the Mighty Mississippi. In fact, it is now being called the “Agriculture or Ag Coast” of America in terms of barge transfer facilities for agricultural products. To sustain and grow this impressive market share, infrastructure investment in multimodal interconnectivity is critical. And as production and demand for commodities like corn and soybeans continue to increase, the St.
U.S. Maritime Advisory Panel Names 10 New Members
U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx today announced the appointment of 10 new members to the Marine Transportation System National Advisory Council (MTSNAC). Established in 2010, MTSNAC is comprised of leaders from commercial transportation firms, trade associations, state and local public entities, labor organizations, academics, and environmental groups that advise the Secretary on policies to ensure that the U.S. Marine Transportation System is capable of responding to projected trade increases.
Infrastructure Investments Strengthen Soybean Supply Chain
Transportation plays a crucial role in the soybean supply chain. With access to multiple transportation modes, Illinois soybean farmers enjoy significant advantages for reaching domestic and global markets. But aging transportation infrastructure can increase costs for Illinois farmers. Working with business, government and industry leaders, the Illinois Soybean Association (ISA) is addressing current infrastructure challenges and finding solutions to ensure Illinois soybean farmers have access to the resources they need to get crops to market.
Ports Workshop to Explore Maritime Economic Drivers
The American Association of Port Authorities’ (AAPA) 2013 Maritime Economic Development Workshop in Chicago, June 27-28, will explore the factors driving today’s investments in seaport and related infrastructure. The program's speakers will analyze the risks and rewards for undertaking such investments, reveal how capital improvements propel business development decisions and discuss what influences intermodal connection improvements with ports. Addressing the issue of what is…
Jefferson Street Bridge Struck by Barge
Tug Thruston B. Morton, pushing 15 barges, allided with the Jefferson Street Bridge in Joliet, Ill., causing the bridge to be damaged enough it will have to be kept in the open position until repaired. Representatives of the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) have reported to the USCG the vessel struck the right descending main support column on the northwest corner of the structure. The allision resulted in the forward starboard barge being struck under the opened bridge's catwalk. The vessel's crew intentionally ballasted-down this barge, allowing it to be pulled from under the catwalk (a standard procedure in a case of this nature). The tug and barges resumed its down-bound transit.
