Barges Carried Some 40 Percent Of U.S. Grain Exported In 1980

Barge shipments of grain destined for export reached a record 1.95 billion bushels in 1980, according to figures recently released by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The share of all export grain carried by barges last year reached 40.3 percent, also a record "These impressive figures are testimony to the low-cost, fuel efficient freight service provided by our industry," said Ralph Van der Naillen, vice chairman of the American Waterways Operators, Inc. "The U.S. farmer knows that, when accessible, barge transportation offers the best means of getting the product to market." Mr. Van der Naillen is also vice president of Cargo Carriers Co., Minneapolis, Minn.

Compared with the previous year, barge carriage of export grain in 1980 increased 20 percent.

Total grain exports rose 6 percent, to 4.83 billion bushels, during the same period. "The barge share of grain exports has been rising d r a m a t i c a l l y since 1973," Mr. Van der Naillen said.

"It is no coincidence that this has also been a period marked by soaring fuel costs and doubledigit inflation. Just as when factors have increased consumer awareness of fuel conservation and careful shopping, it has made barge transportation all the more attractive to shippers." On the average, barges move a ton of freight 514 miles on a gallon of fuel, compared with 202 miles by rail. It costs only about 7 mills per ton-mile to ship by barge, far less than the average rail cost.

Maritime Reporter Magazine, page 33, Apr 1981

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First published in 1881 Maritime Reporter is the world's largest audited circulation publication serving the global maritime industry.