Page 38: of Marine News Magazine (November 2021)

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Feature

Inland Waterways “If the inland waterways are at the cusp of momentous change, stellar performance has to be routine; no excuses.” ? dent that demand for their service will be based on a solid panies don’t just talk about net-zero, they document their business case. For shippers, this new service will be ? rst efforts, even using third-parties for con? rmation.

choice, not a fall back. Given this priority, river transport stands out. It’s a com-

On the east coast, marine highway projects already have pelling message when you can claim that your products a high pro? le. Consider the 64-Express, at the Port of Vir- and operations don’t depend on hundreds of 18-wheelers ginia’s Richmond Marine Terminal, on the James River, stuck in traf? c within dense urban neighborhoods spewing operating since 2008. The Port estimates that 2020 barge exhaust near schools and playgrounds and can move from transport eliminated nearly 20,000 truck trips. Expansion point A to point B using 100 gallons of fuel instead of 1,000 to serve the I-95 corridor is under review. Another example gallons. Yes, many consumers like that, but more impor- is the container on barge service between Baltimore and tantly is that an increasing number of elected of? cials and

Philadelphia on the C&D Canal. policy makers are starting to demand such performance.

Green The other green: $

Note the references above to fewer truck trips. Environ- If the inland waterways are at the cusp of momentous mental issues are a strong catalyst in this transport cruci- change, stellar performance has to be routine; no excuses. ble. Many people are at least generally aware that one barge In its 2021 Infrastructure Report Card, the American So- can carry 1,750 tons of dry cargo, a volume requiring 16 ciety of Civil Engineers give inland waterways a D+. Don’t rail cars or 70 trucks. despair too much, the roads category earned a D.

In the last few years environmental awareness has Regarding money, there is reason for optimism. Consid- morphed into environmental saturation, a prism used on er the completion of the Olmsted Dam, in 2018, after 30 every issue. Sustainability and a low-carbon footprint are years. When asked about Olmsted now, waterways of? cials now operating principles, particularly regarding transpor- are emphatic about exceptional operational bene? ts. Then tation, heavily dependent on petroleum. These days com- a second comment: they’re glad Olmsted is done because 38 | MN November 2021