Study Targets Great Lakes–Inland Cargo Flows
The American Great Lakes Ports Association (AGLPA), Ports of Indiana, the Illinois International Port District (IIPD) and Port Milwaukee, in partnership with the Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation (GLS), have launched a comprehensive market analysis aimed at expanding cargo movements between the Great Lakes and the U.S. inland river system.
Combined, the Great Lakes and inland waterways move nearly 700 million tons of cargo each year. Yet, despite being two of the world’s busiest inland commercial navigation corridors, only a small percentage of cargo moves between the Great Lakes and the inland waterways.
The study will examine how river-lake shipping can be scaled by identifying market demand, viable cargo flows and the infrastructure and operational requirements needed to support increased transloading between barges and lake vessels.
Mike McCoshen, GLS administrator, said enhancing the connection between the Great Lakes and inland waterways enforces the Trump administration’s emphasis on strengthening supply chains in the United States.
“By improving the flow of goods, especially the exports that power the Heartland, we’re not only boosting economic growth today, but reinforcing our nation’s long-term competitiveness for generations to come,” McCoshen said.
“From a maritime standpoint, this is about unlocking capacity that already exists,” said AGLPA President Captain Paul C. LaMarre III. “The Great Lakes and inland waterways systems are both proven, efficient freight corridors, but the connection between them has not been fully developed.”
Ports of Indiana, the IIPD and Port Milwaukee are providing the local match for the study. Together, Indiana, Illinois and Wisconsin represent roughly 65 percent of U.S. Great Lakes shipping–related economic activity and handle millions of tons of river barge traffic moving through the Chicago shipping canal and Mississippi River system.
Ports of Indiana CEO Jody Peacock said it is important to explore how the two shipping corridors can be better connected.
“Maritime transportation can be further leveraged in the megaregion formed by Chicago, Milwaukee and northwest Indiana to improve freight transportation, lower emissions, reduce highway congestion and grow economies through the Great Lakes and inland waterways systems,” Peacock said.
The study, which is expected to conclude in June, will be conducted by CPCS Transcom Inc. in collaboration with AGLPA, GLS and member ports. In addition to identifying promising cargo lanes, the analysis will assess terminal layouts, transloading processes, vessel compatibility and infrastructure constraints that may limit growth. It will also evaluate how expanded marine services could improve supply chain reliability, create maritime and landside jobs and relieve congestion on heavily trafficked highway corridors.
