Despite Challenges, Barge Industry Is Holding On
Even despite persistent challenges, from legislative deadlock in the face of on ongoing dredging crisis to crumbling infrastructure and the failure of the world economy to rebound, the inland waterways and its industries held on and made some gains, aided by the fracking boom and some unexpected export opportunities. That’s the picture that emerged from The Waterways Journal’s annual interviews with leading figures in the waterways industry this January.
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Supplemental Dredging Funds Released
The Obama administration released an additional $55 million in supplemental funding to dredge the Mississippi River near Southwest Pass on January 18. The announcement came after two groundings provided a clear demonstration of the economic and safety concerns expressed in lobbying efforts to maintain authorized channel dimensions by the Big River Coalition and Louisiana’s congressional delegation.
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Indiana Ports Report Tonnage Gains
The Ports of Indiana handled 8.1 million tons of cargo in 2011, the largest annual tonnage since 2006. New ethanol and dried distillers grains (DDGs) shipments combined with gains in limestone, salt and steel cargoes fueled a 5 percent increase in total shipments moving through Indiana’s three ports, the state port agency announced January 18.
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Tulsa Port Gets End-of Year Boost
The Tulsa Port of Catoosa reported on January 19 total shipping figures for December 2011 that were the highest seen all year, pushing the annual total to more than 2.1 million tons.
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Budget Uncertainty Continues To Affect Orion
Orion Marine Group Inc., Houston, Texas, issued a “mid-period update” for its investors January 17, expressing cautious optimism that the federal budgetary gridlock might be easing, with the recent passage of a full-year budget for the Corps of Engineers.
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WJ Editorial: Study Digs Up Cost Of Not Dredging Lower Miss
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