Low River Levels, Soaring Barge Freight Curb U.S. Grain Exports
Numerous barges have run aground on the lower Mississippi River, and grain barge shipping rates are soaring to historic highs this week, as drought has dropped inland waterways to levels not seen in decades.And with little rain in the forecast, the low water levels are hampering already sluggish grain exports at the U.S. Gulf Coast, where some 60% of U.S. corn, soybean and wheat exports exit the country.The logistical snarls come as the Midwest harvest progresses and the busiest crop export season starts…
The ‘Greening’ of America’s Marine Highways
Ingram Barge Company sees two kinds of green in their newest venture on the inland rivers. In late March, the Paducah-McCracken County Riverport Authority and Ingram Barge Company announced plans to assess the viability of Intermodal River Transportation, utilizing the largest flat-top crane in North America and Ingram’s towboats and barges. On March 27th, that plan came to life as the Paducah Riverport Authority’s 200-ton crane lifted 54 empty containers and stacked them neatly on an Ingram-owned barge. An Ingram towboat then transported the container laden barge to the port of St. Louis and then back to Paducah for unloading. The highly successful trial run tested the logistics of moving the intermodal containers via barge in the nation’s heartland.
Plans in Place to Test Intermodal River Transport
The Paducah-McCracken County Riverport Authority and Ingram Barge Company has announced plans to assess the viability of Intermodal River Transportation, utilizing the largest flat-top crane in North America owned by the Paducah Riverport Authority and Ingram’s towboats and barges. The Paducah Riverport Authority owns the 200-ton, Linden Comansa, the largest flat-top tower crane in North America, with a lift capacity of 53 tons up to 100 feet from the tower, and a boom that stretches 250 feet. Ingram Barge Company owns and operates 140 towboats and nearly 5,000 barges on U.S. inland waterways.
Mississippi River Reopened Near St. Louis
The U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) reopened the Upper Mississippi River near St. Louis to recreational vessel traffic, Monday, the USCG said today in a press announcement. The USCG closed the river to all recreational traffic on Friday between Lock and Dam 27 in Granite City, Illinois and the Jefferson Barrack Bridge in St. Louis due to extreme high water, reporting that the river in St. Louis crested late Friday at nearly 31 feet. "Although the river is reopened, the Coast Guard urges mariners to continue to exercise extreme caution when operating in the Port of St. Louis due to large debris and swift currents," said Lt. Tim Marriott, Coast Guard Sector Upper Mississippi River public affairs officer. uscgnews.com
Coast Guard Restricts Traffic on Upper Mississippi River
The Coast Guard Captain of the Port of St. Louis has restricted traffic on the Mississippi River in response to high water, Monday. The upper Mississippi River is closed to all traffic from mile marker 179 to mile marker 184 near the St. Louis Harbor. Fleet vessels are permitted to operate in the zone to ensure the safety and integrity of their fleets. The Coast Guard encourages mariners to ensure that moored vessels and barges are adequately secured with the anticipation of increased current and high water. Debris may be an increased hazard to navigation and may drag buoys off station. The USCG advises that mariners exercise caution when dislodging debris from fleeting areas and communicate the same to downstream fleets.
Coast Guard Issues Mississippi River Safety Advisory
The U.S. Coast Guard Captain of the Port (COTP), St. Louis, opened the Mississippi River to vessel traffic following the completion of dredging at mile marker 161.0, near the mouth of the Meramec River. The river had been closed to commercial vessel traffic since Dec. 14. However, low river levels have prompted the COTP St. Louis, and the COTP Paducah, Ky., to establish a joint Safety Advisory on the Upper Mississippi River between Cairo, Ill., (mile marker 0.0) and St. Louis (mile marker 184.0). Northbound tows entering the advisory area may not have more than 30 barges in their tow, of which only 15 may be loaded. Southbound tows are limited to no more than 20 barges. All barges within the advisory area may not draft more than 9 feet, except for those barges loaded prior to noon on Dec.
Coast Guard Investigates Barge Breakaway
Coast Guard investigators from Marine Safety Office (MSO) St. Louis are investigating the breakaway of over 76 barges that happened Sunday evening in the Port of St. Louis. No injuries or pollution were reported in conjunction with the accident. The breakaway forced the closure of the river by the Coast Guard Captain of the Port, St. Louis, from 11:03 p.m. Sunday, to 6:30 a.m. Monday. The closure affected a 10-mile stretch of the river beginning at the Jefferson Barracks Bridge, extending south to mile marker 158, near Kimmswick, Mo. All of the barges were corralled by about 3:00 a.m. The breakaway was reported to the Coast Guard at about 10:30 p.m. Sunday, by the towing vessel Richard C. Young. The breakaway began at the No.
