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  • St. Louis Region’s Agriculture Freight Network Poised for Growth as Handling Capacity Increases along a 15-mile section of the Mississippi River. 

     
    Located in the heartland of America, one 15-mile section of the Mississippi River in the St. Louis, Missouri, region delivers the highest level of grain barge handling capacity anywhere along the Mississippi River. Known as the “Agriculture or Ag Coast” of America in terms of barge transfer facilities for agricultural products, local stakeholders also know that in order to sustain and grow this impressive market share, ongoing and future infrastructure investment in multimodal interconnectivity is critical.
     
    As production and demand for commodities like corn and soybeans increase, the St. Louis region is strategically positioned to handle a significant portion of the expected increase in freight volume along this waterway. Those findings were revealed during a recent meeting hosted by Bi-State Development, St. Louis Regional Freightway and America’s Central Port, further underscoring the positive outlook on the bi-state region’s role as a national and global freight hub.
     
    To be sure, the amount of river business in the St. Louis region has disproportionately increased over the past three decades. That’s in no small part because the bi-state region’s barge transfer facilities are earning recognition as a more cost-effective and efficient means to transfer products by barge for shipment to the Port of New Orleans as compared to other areas north of St. Louis. That recognition comes on the heels of investment of more than $200 million in the region’s agricultural product barge transfer infrastructure facilities since 2005.
     
    As the freight cost to ship large cargoes through places like Davenport (Iowa) or Peoria (Illinois) to and from New Orleans has increased significantly, the freight cost to ship through St. Louis to New Orleans has not increased, and in fact, is coming down. That’s because the St. Louis region is blessed with more efficient infrastructure and handling capacity, delivered via the region’s open waterways and barge transfer facilities. Railroads have also offered cheaper rates to large barge-loading facilities that can turn unit trains – carrying 110 to 125 railcars of grain and agricultural product – in just a few hours. 
     
    “Barge loading and unloading capacity has expanded in the St. Louis area to take advantage of these train rates and barge freight rate adjustments,” said David Jump, president of Illinois-based American Milling. He added, “The four highest capacity grain barge loading facilities in the entire inland waterway are in Cahokia, Illinois. Three of the four were built in the past five years. As a result of increased handling capacity and favorable barge freight values, the St. Louis region has become a very significant destination for these trains.”
     
    China has become a large buyer of soybeans with 35 percent of soybeans grown in the United States being exported to China. China National Cereals, Oils and Foodstuffs Corporation (COFCO International) never owned a grain/agriculture barge transfer facility in the interior of the United States until last year when it invested in the St. Louis region. And, China will begin buying grain coming into Cahokia this fall. 
     
    The frequency of unit trains along Illinois Route 3 has increased since 2016 and is expected to increase again this fall. In 2016, fluctuations resulted in as many as two unit trains crossing Route 3 a day, with each unit crossing Route 3 twice a day. In early 2017, the fluctuation reached four unit trains per day. In the fall, CGB will complete unit train rail improvements, which will increase the amount of unit trains that cross Illinois Route 3 to potentially six. According to Jump, COFCO has the capability for two additional unit trains with the potential to accommodate a four-unit train per day capacity. In addition, Jump said American Milling is planning for an additional barge transfer facility, which would increase the St. Louis region’s capacity to handle even more grain and grain products in the future. 
     
    The growth in capacity also comes as the demand for exports continue to increase. Indeed, U.S. soybean exports have increased from 20 million tons to 57 million tons over the past 30 years, and corn exports increased from 32 million tons to 57 million tons.
     
    “In 1985, more than 5 percent of grain barges arriving in the New Orleans Harbors were coming from the St. Louis region, and now, that number has increased to about 30 percent,” said Jump. “The factors that are forcing growth in the St. Louis region are not going away. There is nothing on the river like the St. Louis region.”
     
    Factors credited with producing barge traffic growth also include excess capacity at river terminals and high concentrations of barges, superior intermodal connectivity that includes six of the nation’s seven Class I railroad carriers, easy access to four interstate highways that all provide national access and the geographic advantage of being centered in America’s agricultural heartland; a region which naturally provides the northernmost ice-free and lock-free access on the Mississippi River to and from the Gulf of Mexico.
     
    Jump said while cargo handling capacity in the St. Louis region is booming, rail switching capacity is stretched. Demands on barge switching are at or over capacity, and the American farmer is currently growing near-record crops again for corn and for soybeans.
     
    In order to keep up with demand, Mary Lamie, Executive Director of the St. Louis Regional Freightway, said it is vital for the bi-state region to continue to invest in roadway infrastructure as additional rail and truck traffic begin to cross the region. “Infrastructure investment in our multimodal freight network is critical to ensure the United States remains competitive with the global market,” said Lamie.
     
    Key regional priorities include improvements to Illinois Route 3, a new bridge to carry traffic across the Mississippi River along I-270 north of St. Louis between Missouri and Illinois, a new interchange at I-255 in Dupo, Illinois and improvements to I-64. As many as 20 infrastructure projects along the St. Louis Regional Freightway have been identified as freight priorities. www.thefreightway.com
     
     
    (As published in the October 2017 edition of Marine News)

  • Robert J. Patrick has been elected president of The Propeller Club of the United States, Port of St. Louis, Mo. Mr. Patrick is president of Apex Marine Service. The St. Louis Club was chartered in 1937, and its membership of more than 370 people is made up of persons engaged in the maritime industry

  • Set For September 20-22, 1989 The National Waterway Conference's 1989 Annual Meeting will be held on September 20-22, 1989 at the Adam's Mark Hotel in St. Louis, Mo. Over the years, NWC annual meetings have gained wide recognition as timely, provocative programs featuring knowledgeable, articulate particip

  • Marine Systems Inc. (MSI), an international diesel engine repair and parts company, has established a 24-hour operation serving the St. Louis area. Headquartered in Shriever, La., with centers also located in Harvey, La., and Chesapeake, Va., MSI now has a 14,000-square-foot shop and warehouse at

  • The 136-foot, triple-decked excursion vessel "Grand Romance" recently began excursion service on the St. Johns River between Sanford and Jacksonville, Fla. Designed by John Brever, an associate of Florida Naval Architects, Inc. of East Palatka, the 600-passenger vessel was constructed by Freeport

  • Crane Company, Defense and Specialty Systems Group, St. Louis, Mo., recently announced the consolidation of two of its business units, Crane Midwest Fittings and Unidynamics/ Midwest, to form Crane Midwest. Crane Midwest will continue to maintain the product lines of both business units and will

  • The M/V Conch Republic was recently delivered by St. Augustine Trawlers, Inc. to her owner, Caribbean Travel Services. She is the latest of many passenger vessels designed by DeJong & Lebet, Inc., naval architects, of Jacksonville, Fla. The Conch Republic is certified for 500 passengers in ocean

  • William H. Young, president of St. Philip Towing and Transportation Co., headquartered in Tampa, Fla., has announced the sale of its oceangoing tug and barge fleet to TECO Transport & Trade Corporation. "The sale of our oceangoing tug and barge fleet will enable us to aggressively pursue expansion

  • Murray McCavour, who has retired. The appointment was announced by Commission chairman Hugh McLellan. Mr. Murray has spent 34 years in the marine industry in Saint John and, more recently, in Montreal. Before returning to Saint John he was with Manchester Liner Services (Canada) Inc. He joined Furness Wit

  • Gerald J. St. Pe, an executive at Ingalls Shipbuilding division of Litton Industries for the past 20 years, has been elected president of the division, located in Pascagoula, Miss. He succeeds Leonard Erb, a senior vice president of Litton, who will continue in his position as the corporate group

  • Charles H. Rains, president of St. Augustine Trawlers in St. Augustine, Fla., recently announced the signing of a contract to construct an 85-foot by 24-foot steel trawler for Salvatore and James Bramante of Boston. Designed by John W. Gilbert Associates, Inc. of Boston, the vessel will be powered by

  • Unidynamics/St. Louis, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of UMC Industries, Inc., is offering a 24-page color brochure that gives an overview of the company, its growing facilities, capabilities, products, and organization. The publication first presents a message from its president, who through the

  • MT Mar-24#45 are often denied or restricted. As part of the new)
    March 2024 - Marine Technology Reporter page: 45

    in the UUV defense and offshore energy markets especially for long duration, multi-payload mission opera- tions where communications are often denied or restricted. As part of the new alliance, Metron’s Resilient Mission Autonomy portfolio will be integrated into Cellula’s Solus and Imotus families of

  • MT Mar-24#4 .marinetechnologynews.com ast month marked the resounding)
    March 2024 - Marine Technology Reporter page: 4

    Editorial NIWA-Nippon Foundation TESMaP/ Rebekah Parsons-King www.marinetechnologynews.com ast month marked the resounding NEW YORK 118 E. 25th St., New York, NY 10010 return of Oceanology Interna- Tel: (212) 477-6700; Fax: (212) 254-6271 tional in London, perennially one Lof the world’s most important

  • MR Apr-24#23 ATBs for transportation and installation of the Empire Wind)
    April 2024 - Maritime Reporter and Engineering News page: 23

    offshore wind; and the foreign ? ag Maersk supply WTIV at Seatrium Singapore, together with U.S. ? ag feeder ATBs for transportation and installation of the Empire Wind. Three newbuild SOVs and three conversions/retro? ts were award- ed, too, and 22 CTVs were also announced. The ? rst US rock installa

  • MR Apr-24#6 M A R I N E L I N K . C O M almost an afterthought HQ 118)
    April 2024 - Maritime Reporter and Engineering News page: 6

    Editorial MARITIME REPORTER AND ENGINEERING NEWS his month’s coverage is M A R I N E L I N K . C O M almost an afterthought HQ 118 E. 25th St., 2nd Floor following the tragedy that New York, NY 10010 USA T +1.212.477.6700 Tunfolded in Baltimore in the wee hours of Tuesday, March 26, CEO John C.

  • MR Apr-24#4 Activity Reports, Inc., 118 East 25th St., New York, NY)
    April 2024 - Maritime Reporter and Engineering News page: 4

    News (ISSN # 0025-3448) is published monthly Cooper Fischer Goldberg except for March, July, and October by Maritime Activity Reports, Inc., 118 East 25th St., New York, NY 10010-1062. Periodicals Postage Paid at New York, NY and additional mailing of? ces. POSTMASTER: Send all UAA to CFS. NON-POSTAL

  • MN Apr-24#30 electric tug eWolf, built by Master Boat Builders. Administration)
    April 2024 - Marine News page: 30

    Feature Shipbuilding Crowley Crowley’s electric tug eWolf, built by Master Boat Builders. Administration (MARAD) put a cost of $97 million on the ulatory ? lings, the vessel “is expected to be delivered and vessel. The same yard has also been contracted to build an operational in 2025.” Filings with

  • MN Apr-24#4 Note New York: 118 E. 25th St., New York, NY 10010 tel:)
    April 2024 - Marine News page: 4

    Marine News April 2024 Volume 35 Number 4 Marine News (ISSN#1087-3864) (USPS#013-952) Editor’s Note New York: 118 E. 25th St., New York, NY 10010 tel: (212) 477-6700; fax: (212) 254-6271 www.marinelink.com The current period of time is one of swift transition for the maritime industry, CEO as regulatory

  • MR Feb-24#6 increasingly HQ 118 E. 25th St., 2nd Floor becomes a geopolitica)
    February 2024 - Maritime Reporter and Engineering News page: 6

    Editorial MARITIME REPORTER AND ENGINEERING NEWS M A R I N E L I N K . C O M s the world increasingly HQ 118 E. 25th St., 2nd Floor becomes a geopolitical New York, NY 10010 USA T +1.212.477.6700 quagmire, with Russia’s Awar in the Ukraine soon CEO John C. O’Malley entering year three and disparate

  • MR Feb-24#4 Activity Reports, Inc., 118 East 25th St., New York, NY)
    February 2024 - Maritime Reporter and Engineering News page: 4

    News Goldberg Haun (ISSN # 0025-3448) is published monthly Galdorisi except for March, July, and October by Maritime Activity Reports, Inc., 118 East 25th St., New York, NY 10010-1062. Periodicals Postage Paid at New York, NY and additional mailing of? ces. POSTMASTER: Send all UAA to CFS. NON-POSTAL

  • MN Feb-24#42 Leading Port Everglades St. Johns President Glenn A)
    February 2024 - Marine News page: 42

    People & Companies Rella Hired as Wiltshire Leading Port Everglades St. Johns President Glenn A. Wiltshire has taken over as Joe Rella has been appointed as presi- acting director of Broward County’s Port Rella Barton dent of St. Johns Ship Building. Everglades Department. Barton Named Vineyard CEO New

  • MN Feb-24#41 & WINDEA Courageous The ? rst two designed, BV-classed)
    February 2024 - Marine News page: 41

    Vessels WINDEA Intrepid & WINDEA Courageous The ? rst two designed, BV-classed CTVs for WINDEA CTV. The third newbuild crew and fourth vessels are under construction at St Johns, and transfer vessels construction of the ? fth vessel is well underway at Breaux (CTV) for WIN- Brothers in Louisiana.

  • MN Feb-24#40 & HOS Wild Horse shipyard construction contracts were wrongfully)
    February 2024 - Marine News page: 40

    Vessels HOS Warhorse & HOS Wild Horse shipyard construction contracts were wrongfully termi- nated. Gulf Island and Hornbeck settled in October 2023, clearing way for the builds to be completed by another yard. Eastern secured the contract to complete the builds from Zurich American Insurance Company

  • MN Feb-24#4 Note New York: 118 E. 25th St., New York, NY 10010 tel:)
    February 2024 - Marine News page: 4

    Marine News February 2024 Volume 35 Number 2 Marine News (ISSN#1087-3864) (USPS#013-952) Editor’s Note New York: 118 E. 25th St., New York, NY 10010 tel: (212) 477-6700; fax: (212) 254-6271 www.marinelink.com Down but not out. That’s how I’d de- scribe the current state of the U.S. offshore CEO wind

  • MT Jan-24#4 on unmanned underwater systems.” When I ? rst received)
    January 2024 - Marine Technology Reporter page: 4

    12 years ago I was invited to the home of then Chief of Naval Operations, Admiral Gary A Roughead, for “a discussion on unmanned underwater systems.” When I ? rst received the invite, my ? rst thought was © Jason Adelaars MBARI 2023 www.marinetechnologynews.com “how did I get on this list.”

  • MR Jan-24#41 In the Shipyard Latest Deliveries, Contracts and Designs Van)
    January 2024 - Maritime Reporter and Engineering News page: 41

    In the Shipyard Latest Deliveries, Contracts and Designs Van Oord Upgrades Heavy-lift Gulf Craft, Incat Crowther an Oord’s heavy-lift installation vessel Team on Virgin Island Ferry VSvanen will receive a major upgrade: the gan- try crane will be extended by 25m, making the vessel ready to handle the

  • MR Jan-24#24 . “So three weeks later, I started never, in fact, sailed)
    January 2024 - Maritime Reporter and Engineering News page: 24

    a ment track record and business sense to tasked with future proo? ng a ? eet had future premised on meeting deliver. “So three weeks later, I started never, in fact, sailed onboard a com- and beating decarboniza- here in Antwerp.” mercial ship. Ation targets, it’s repeated So in those early

  • MR Jan-24#6 E L I N K . C O M HQ 118 E. 25th St., 2nd Floor New York, NY)
    January 2024 - Maritime Reporter and Engineering News page: 6

    Editorial MARITIME REPORTER AND ENGINEERING NEWS M A R I N E L I N K . C O M HQ 118 E. 25th St., 2nd Floor New York, NY 10010 USA T +1.212.477.6700 CEO John C. O’Malley It’s all about [email protected] President & COO Publisher & Editor Greg Trauthwein the Molecule Photo Justin Zurre trauthwein@ma

  • MR Jan-24#4 Activity Reports, Inc., 118 East 25th St., New York, NY)
    January 2024 - Maritime Reporter and Engineering News page: 4

    News Goldberg Haun (ISSN # 0025-3448) is published monthly Galdorisi except for March, July, and October by Maritime Activity Reports, Inc., 118 East 25th St., New York, NY 10010-1062. Periodicals Postage Paid at New York, NY and additional mailing of? ces. POSTMASTER: Send all UAA to CFS. NON-POSTAL

  • MT Nov-23#4 evolution in this industry con- tinues to pick up)
    November 2023 - Marine Technology Reporter page: 4

    Editorial sit back in amazement at how techno- logical evolution in this industry con- tinues to pick up speed, as things like I Arti? cial Intelligence – with all of its promise and peril – continue to evolve and penetrate subsea tech solutions. As anyone © Jason Adelaars MBARI 2023 www.marinetechnologyn

  • MR Dec-23#6 E L I N K . C O M HQ 118 E. 25th St., 2nd Floor New York, NY)
    December 2023 - Maritime Reporter and Engineering News page: 6

    Editorial MARITIME REPORTER AND ENGINEERING NEWS M A R I N E L I N K . C O M HQ 118 E. 25th St., 2nd Floor New York, NY 10010 USA T +1 212 477 6700 CEO John C. O’Malley What’s in [email protected] President & COO Publisher & Editor Greg Trauthwein Store in ‘24? [email protected] t has

  • MR Dec-23#4 Activity Reports, Inc., 118 East 25th St., New York, NY)
    December 2023 - Maritime Reporter and Engineering News page: 4

    News Ewing Galdorisi Goldberg (ISSN # 0025-3448) is published monthly except for March, July, and October by Maritime Activity Reports, Inc., 118 East 25th St., New York, NY 10010-1062. Periodicals Postage Paid at New York, NY and additional mailing of? ces. POSTMASTER: Send all UAA to CFS. NON-POSTAL

  • MN Nov-23#58 Mueller has been elected Stoik Joins Ascot US to become)
    November 2023 - Marine News page: 58

    Elected Next tor of business development to chief SNAME President NETSCo president and CEO operating of? cer. Richard Mueller has been elected Stoik Joins Ascot US to become the next president of the Bukoski Mueller Peakes Pat Stoik has joined insurer Ascot Society of Naval Architects and Ma- Group

  • MN Nov-23#49 R.B. WEEKS Eastern Shipbuilding Group Florida shipbuilder)
    November 2023 - Marine News page: 49

    R.B. WEEKS Eastern Shipbuilding Group Florida shipbuilder Eastern Ship- rier islands and nourishing beaches an electrical power, propulsion, and building Group (ESG) this Spring de- lost to erosion, aiding the U.S. Army dredge machinery package by Royal livered R.B. Weeks, a 8,550 cubic yard Corps of

  • MN Nov-23#4 Note New York: 118 E. 25th St., New York, NY 10010 tel:)
    November 2023 - Marine News page: 4

    Marine News November 2023 Volume 34 Number 11 Marine News (ISSN#1087-3864) (USPS#013-952) Editor’s Note New York: 118 E. 25th St., New York, NY 10010 tel: (212) 477-6700; fax: (212) 254-6271 www.marinelink.com Give credit where credit is due. MARAD, TOTE Services, Philly Shipyard and all CEO parties