Through Dec. 12, fourth-quarter barge grain volumes have surpassed one million tons for five weeks in 2020, compared to only one week in 2019 and none in 2018, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. As of Dec. 12, year-to-date barge grain shipments were 37.3 million tons, 32% higher than the same time in 2019.
High barge grain volumes in 2020 are due to unusually high demand from the international export market and an unusually swift harvest this year, the USDA said. From early...
The coronavirus pandemic is not expected to disrupt this summer’s lock and dams closures along the Illinois Waterway, the Army Corps of Engineers said.
Shutdowns will occur on schedule from July through October to allow much-needed rehabilitation on five locks of the system, which provides a navigable link between Lake Michigan and the Mississippi River north of St. Louis.
The Corps of Engineers, which runs the project, received the remaining funds needed on April 20, and neither the Corps nor...
Last week, the Coast Guard transitioned from pollution response to the investigation phase of a major marine casualty that occurred July 5 on the Illinois River. It involved three towboats that sank in the river near Hardin, Ill.
Coast Guard Sector Upper Mississippi River received a report of the three towboats and a deck barge that were tied together and were taking on water at mile marker 20.7 on the Illinois River. Sector UMR responded to the scene to find all three vessels fully submerged.
The...
The Coast Guard responded to three vessels that sunk on the Illinois River near Hardin, Ill., Sunday.
Watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Upper Mississippi River received a report Friday of three tugboats and a deck barge that were tied together and began taking on water at mile marker 21 on the Illinois River.
The sinking tugboats are holding approximately 4,850 gals. of diesel and oil.
Sector Upper Mississippi River dispatched personnel to work with the tugboat company to minimize potential...
Barge operators that use the Illinois Waterway will face the first round of closures in June as preliminary work begins on major repairs to six of eight lock and dam sites along the system that will begin next summer and carry into 2023.
In preparation for significant work next year, bulkhead slots will be installed at Marseilles and Starved Rock locks this summer, requiring a partial closure and width restrictions for 92 days. A full lock closure will then occur for 14 days to install the sill...
As of Nov. 12, high water levels on the Upper Mississippi and Illinois rivers were decreasing and barge traffic was returning to normal operations, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Recently, there have been increases in soybean barge shipments despite reduced export demand from China and poor navigating conditions, the USDA said in its weekly Grain Transportation Report. For the week ending Nov. 10, soybean shipments on the locking portions of the Mississippi, Ohio, and Arkansas...