US River Infrastructure Near breaking Point
With a record U.S. harvest just coming in, the river transportation system that is at the heart of the nation's farm economy is overstrained by rising demand for shipping capacity, a low barge inventory, and a dilapidated lock system. The pressure is building on an inland waterways network that is just one flood, drought or mechanical breakdown from calamity after decades of neglect, industry sources say. Looming bumper corn and soybean crops are bringing to light issues that have built for years and which have been exacerbated by new entrants to the marketplace for river logistics, such as producers of crude oil from the nation's shale boom. Rail congestion and truck shortages are shifting more cargo to the creaking infrastructure for floating heartland goods to market.
US River Freight System Near Breaking Point as Huge Harvest Looms
With a record U.S. harvest just coming in, the river transportation system that is at the heart of the nation's farm economy is overstrained by rising demand for shipping capacity, a low barge inventory, and a dilapidated lock system. The pressure is building on an inland waterways network that is just one flood, drought or mechanical breakdown from calamity after decades of neglect, industry sources say. Looming bumper corn and soybean crops are bringing to light issues that have built for years and which have been exacerbated by new entrants to the marketplace for river logistics, such as producers of crude oil from the nation's shale boom. Rail congestion and truck shortages are shifting more cargo to the creaking infrastructure for floating heartland goods to market.
Cox Disappointed by Asian Carp Ruling
Michigan Attorney General Mike Cox said he is extremely disappointed that the United States Supreme Court declined to immediately close Chicago-area locks that could stop Asian carp from entering the Great Lakes, but is pleased that Michigan's fight to reopen the Chicago Diversion case will continue. Cox also said President Obama, who failed to respond to Cox's previous request for an Asian carp conference, must now act and use his powers to close the locks because Asian carp eDNA continues to turn up near Lake Michigan. "I am extremely disappointed the Supreme Court did not push the pause button on this crisis until an effective plan is in place," said Cox.
