Page 34: of Marine News Magazine (November 2021)

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Feature

Inland Waterways © Bill Perry / Adobe Stock

A Crucible of Issues

By Tom Ewing s 2022 appears on the not-so-distant hori- As Steenhoek re? ected on waterway issues, his ? rst ref- zon, we asked inland waterways executives erence was to Hurricane Ida. “We’re still clawing our way to re? ect on the major issues impacting their out of that,” he commented, noting extensive damage to the industry. Just how those issues evolve – and barge industry. The Louisiana Gulf Coast—the country’s

A whether they present as challenges or opportunities – is, of busiest hub for corn and soy exports—was severely damaged course, unknown. Answers to some future questions will by Ida on August 29, triggering weeks of logistical challeng- be relatively straightforward, con? dently based on indus- es due to power outages and damaged terminals along the try knowledge and experience. Other outcomes remain Mississippi River from Baton Rouge to the Gulf of Mexico. hazier, and next steps could be in? uenced by forces and Another issue is low water levels in the upper Midwest. players completely removed from the business of barges, Barge companies, Steenhoek said, are recommending tugs, tows, breakbulk and infrastructure. light loading. That’s problematic for an industry based on long distance transport and heavy loads. If those strengths

Mother Nature always in charge change, so do the economics.

Mike Steenhoek is Executive Director of the Soy Trans- Low water was also cited by Dennis Wilmsmeyer, Execu- portation Coalition, an organization established by 13 tive Director of America’s Central Port, in Granite City, Ill. state soybean boards and soy trade associations, based in at the con? uence of the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers.

Ankeny, Iowa. The inland waterways are critical to the co- “Flows out of reservoirs into the river system are declin- alition and its agricultural base. ing at a time when the upper Midwest has experienced 34 | MN November 2021