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 Mar. 14, 2013 Source: Informa Economics news release The US inland barge fleet shrank 0.5 percent during 2012. Though the dry fleet contracted 1.1 percent, the liquid tank fleet expanded 3.4 percent. There were 950 new barges added to the overall fleet as of the end of 2012 while 1,061 barges were retired, according to Informa Economics' just-released Barge Fleet Profile. Among the different barge types, the number of covered barges declined, open barges continued to expand, and the number of tank barges increased to record highs. "This information remains vital given the enormous requirements being placed on the industry and the inland waterway infrastructure," said Informa Economics President and Chief Operating Officer Tom Scott about the report. He added that "Informa appreciates the value of the industry's contribution to the report's development," which is compiled through an annual survey of operators and information from the Army Corps of Engineers. The Barge Fleet Profile, now in its 26th year, summarizes the size and average age of the fleet by barge operator for each barge type and identifies the line haul, commodity carrying fleet of inland barges operating on the Mississippi River system, its connecting waterways and the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway. The report also includes the covered barges that move grains and oilseeds, fertilizers, steel and other products, as well as open barges that haul coal, sand, gravel and similar product types. Details on tank barges that transport liquid products, such as crude oils and renewable fuels, also are incorporated into the report. A sister publication, the Barge Commodity Profile, in its ninth year of publication, also was just released by Informa, offering exclusive barge pressure indices. These indices provide a valuable tool in assessing the supply and demand for barges. The report also presents barometers of barge fleet size and movements by commodity type, commodity ton miles and average distance hauled on the Mississippi River system, its connecting waterways and the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway. Informa utilizes the Corps Waterborne Commerce of United States data released in February (with that data through 2011). Informa then estimates barge volumes through 2012, which indicates a drought-driven decline in covered barge movements and a coal-driven decline in open barge movements. Tank barge movements increased on the strength of increasing US crude oil production. For 2011, commodity volumes declined, as expected, for covered and open barges, but the liquid fleet movements experienced a surprising 3 percent drop. In 2012, the Barge Pressure Index (BPI) is expected to improve for covered, open and tank barges. These reports are available from Informa, either through the Internet at www.bargefleet.com or by telephoning Pam Daniel at 901-766-4513. The Barge Fleet Profile is available for $100 each while the Barge Commodity Profile is available for $450 each. The reports can be purchased together for a special price of $500. For more information about the report, contact Informa Senior Vice President Ken Eriksen at 901-766- 4463 or Informa Senior Consultant Alan Barrett at 901-766-4497. Tweet |
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