Are barge transport myths holding your business back? Barge transport offers unique advantages for many shippers. Sadly several barge transport myths and misconceptions deter companies from utilizing this cost-effective and efficient method.
If you’re reevaluating your shipping costs this year or looking to build more sustainability or resilience into your supply chain, it may be time for a second look. In this blog, we’ll debunk five common barge transport myths and highlight why barge transport could be a viable solution for your shipping needs.
Why Consider Barge Transport?
You may already consider marine transport to be a big part of your overall transportation mix—seventy-six percent of all U.S. trade involves some sort of marine transportation according to a NOAA Office for Coastal Management report and international trade numbers are even higher! But what about barges specifically?
Barge transport is an economical option for moving large volumes of cargo. It is also particularly advantageous for transporting bulk commodities or moving heavy or oversized items that are challenging to transport via road or rail. But barge shipping has wider applications as well.
Over 50% of the United States population lives near waterways, making barge shipping an advantageous choice for many shippers. Additionally, the variety of inland barge sizes and configurations cater to diverse shipping requirements including containerized freight and liquids.
So the real question might be, in the realm of inland transportation, why are barges so often overlooked? Several common myths about barge shipping may deter shippers from exploring this mode of transport, but they certainly don’t have to.
Main Barge Transport Myths Debunked:
- Myth 1: It’s Difficult To Coordinate And Arrange
- Myth 2: Only A Limited Amount Of Goods Can Be Shipped With Barges
- Myth 3: Barges Can Only Be Used On Rivers
- Myth 4: Barge Transport Harms The Environment
- Myth 5: Barge Transport Isn’t Efficient (Or Integrated)
Myth 1: It’s Difficult to Coordinate and Arrange
Many believe that barge transport is challenging to coordinate due to a lack of technology and the involvement of multiple stakeholders. Historically, this might have been true, with disparate systems creating friction in moving freight and introducing opportunities for delays and inefficiencies.
However, advancements in technology have streamlined the process significantly. Tech startups and new technology adoption are bringing the barge transportation market into the modern era.
Modern tools like OpenTug provide unified platforms that simplify the coordination of barge movements, making it as straightforward as managing other modes of transport. Opentug’s small business shipping solutions easily connect shippers, barge operators, terminals, and ports in one integrated platform. In addition, shippers will now find adoption of common logistics technologies such as route optimization and real-time tracking are increasingly available in barge transport as well.
Myth 2: Only a Limited Amount of Goods Can Be Shipped with Barges
Contrary to popular belief, barges can transport a wide variety of goods. From bulk agricultural commodities such as grain and potatoes to coal, petroleum, and oversized construction materials, the possibilities are extensive. Specialized inland barges, including hopper barges for dry bulk cargo, liquid tank barges, container barges, and flat deck barges are each designed to handle different types of freight efficiently. This versatility makes barge transport suitable for many industries.
In addition to bulk commodities, many shippers, freight forwarders and 3PLs find it convenient to transport project cargo shipments across US waterways. Unwieldy, oversized cargo such as industrial machinery or power plant components can also create challenges on highways, while barges provide an easy, economical transportation solution.
Myth 3: Barges Can Only Be Used on Rivers
Another common barge transport misconception is that barges are limited to river transport. In reality, barges are also used for coastal transportation as well. Barges play a crucial role in managing freight along coastlines, extending the reach of barge transport beyond inland waterways.
OpenTug's solutions for ocean liners demonstrate the suitability of barge transport to coastal shipping as well, enabling shippers to enjoy the same benefits in route optimization, automated pricing, and improved visibility as they would enjoy within inland waterways.
Myth 4: Barge Transport Harms the Environment
For shippers who worry about the environmental impact of transportation, barge transport is a great fit—barges are substantially more environmentally efficient when compared to other transportation modes. Barges produce fewer emissions per ton-mile of cargo transported, reducing the overall carbon footprint.
Additionally, by transporting large volumes of goods at once, barge transport helps decrease traffic congestion on roads, further minimizing environmental impact. Finally, barge transport carries a lower risk of impact to the surrounding environment when compared to other modes of transport due to the lower associated risk of spills and accidents.
Myth #5: Barge Transport Isn’t Efficient (or Integrated)
Barge transport is known for being cost-efficient, but does that cost come with a compromise on speed? Indeed, barge transport isn’t the fastest method of moving goods, but it may be more efficient than you’d expect, especially when you consider the overall capacity of barges for moving large volumes of goods. Consider that a 15-barge tow can carry goods equivalent to about 225 railroad cars or 1050 tractor-trailer trucks.
And that same barge won’t face struggles with traffic delays or road congestion. For shippers comparing barge transport vs train vs truck, the answer may in fact be embracing some combination according to your needs. Consider using barge transload to maximize cost savings and sustainability while still incorporating any other modes of transport required such as rail or truck.
Barge Transport Myths: Bad for The Bottom Line
Overall barge transport is a versatile, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly option for shipping a wide variety of cargo on inland waterways and along coastlines. By debunking these common barge transport myths, we hope to encourage more shippers to consider barges as a viable alternative to traditional transport methods or as an economical component in a larger intermodal shipping strategy.
By understanding the true potential of barge transport, businesses can optimize their logistics operations and achieve greater efficiency.
Ready to dispel more barge transport myths and learn more about mastering inland marine transport? View our latest webinar on-demand here.
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