Environment

"Inland barges carry the nations freight at the lowest unit cost while offering environmentally-sound alternatives to other transportation."

-U.S. Department of Transportation Maritime Administration

Advantages of Inland Barge

Shipping by barge is more energy efficient, is safer, causes little congestion, and produces little noise or air pollution.  Therefore, it has relatively small effects on land and community.  One ton of cargo is shipped for every gallon of fuel burned.

Truck  59 miles

Train   202 miles

Barge  514 miles

These figures show that shallow draft water transportation is almost nine times more economical, thus more efficient, than trucks, and over two and one half times more efficient than rail.

To move the same amount of cargo transported by a standard tow (1 barge) would require 32 freight cars or 100 trucks. Think about the additional traffic and associated air pollution such congestion would bring to our already crowded land systems. By keeping trucks off the road, we significantly reduce carbon emissions. 

We also benefit the environment with our “green” recycling operation on-site (see Recycling tab), and we help create alternative sources of fuel consumption.  For example, we recycle products for fuel such as Biomass Fuel for Niagara Generating Facility.