Economy of Barge Transportation

Balanced use serves many needs.
The Mississippi River is both a precious natural resource and the largest inland shipping waterway in the United States. From its founding, Minneapolis has depended on the power of the Mississippi River for its growth, industry, and prosperity.

The river management plan created by the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area (MNRRA) recognizes the many uses of the river and the benefits of shipping on the Mississippi. Businesses that use barge transportation are encouraged to remain on the riverfront even as other uses of the river are developed.

River shipping is more efficient.
Barges have large loading capacities. On average, one barge carries the same amount of scrap metal as 75 semi trucks or 20 rail cars.

Moving 1,500 tons of metal requires…

ONE BARGE


20 RAIL CARS

75 SEMI TRUCKS

Barge transportation helps the environment.
Shipping by barge is better for the environment than shipping by truck or train. Shipping by barge means:

• The most fuel-efficient transportation available
• Reduced air pollution
• Fewer trucks adding to highway congestion
• Reduced wear on roads, less noise, and fewer tires for disposal
• Reduced traffic accidents
• Increased access to markets

Using barge transportation is an integral part of American Iron's business.
Each year, we use barges to ship hundreds of thousands of tons of scrap metal to mills for recycling. Instead of ending up in a landfill, this metal is made into new products, reducing the amount of virgin metal that needs to be mined. And that means less pollution to air, land, and water.

River shipping makes fuel go further.
Shipping by barge, one gallon of fuel means 500 miles of travel for one ton of metal. On a per ton basis, American Iron can ship a barge full of scrap metal down the Mississippi to St. Louis for roughly the same cost and amount of fuel as sending a truckload of scrap to St. Paul.

How Many Miles Will 1 Gallon Take 1 Ton of Cargo?

by barge………………. 500 miles

by rail…………………... 200 miles



by truck…………………. 60 miles

For updates on river conditions visit the River Industry Bulletin Board.