Doubling Down on Inland Waterways: Gigantic Barges Are Anchoring America’s Supply Chain Resilience

 

To alleviate the pressure on an increasingly burdened supply chain, could gigantic barges on inland waterways offer a way forward?

Amidst the backdrop of a rapidly transforming logistics landscape, the U.S. is harnessing the enhanced capabilities of inland waterway gigantic barges to fortify its supply chain. As logistical norms pivot in response to environmental challenges and shifting economic pressures, such as drought-induced waterway disruptions and increased transportation costs, innovative solutions like the container-on-vessel (COV) service are emerging. This service, supported by significant infrastructure investments, seeks to streamline the flow of oversized cargo through expansive marine highway systems, offering a promising alternative to overburdened land transportation networks.

Further strengthening this network, the U.S. Department of Transportation recently announced the addition of two new marine highway systems, extending 250 miles to the Ohio River system and 6,500 miles of Alaskan waterways. This expansion is part of a broader effort to enhance the efficiency of freight shipments, improve port operations, and maintain affordability in the supply chain​​.

How are these evolving capacities of inland waterway gigantic barges reshaping the domestic supply chain management landscape, especially in transporting oversized cargo?

In addressing this critical aspect of logistics, Pradip Shukla, Ph.D. an Associate Professor of Management at Chapman University, emphasizes the increasingly crucial role of these gigantic barges, particularly as they grow in capacity and offer cost-effective solutions amidst rising labor and transportation costs in other sectors. “In the past, we would have up to 1500 tons capacity on a barge, and now we’re seeing that the newer barges are twice as large in terms of capacity, and they do play an important role, and they’ll continue to play an important role, especially if labor costs have increased for truckers, there’s shortages of truckers available, and rail costs have also increased, so the barges will continue to play an important role in domestic supply chain management,” Shukla said.

Article by James Kent

Follow us on social media for the latest updates in B2B!

Image

Latest

influencer partnerships
Moving Beyond Social Media Buzz: How Authentic Content & Long-Term Influencer Partnerships Can Drive Hotel ROI
July 30, 2025

Influencer marketing is rapidly changing, and many hotels are still figuring out how to tap into its full potential. As travelers demand more authentic and relatable content, the pressure is on for hotels to adapt their marketing strategies. But with skepticism around the true ROI of influencer partnerships, it’s more important than ever for brands…

Read More
workforce
Building a Future-Ready Workforce: With Traditional Training Models Failing, It’s Time for Employers and Educators to Build Solutions Together
July 30, 2025

In an era where the average job tenure in the U.S. hovers under four years and industries are evolving faster than academic curricula can keep up, the need for a new approach to workforce development has never been more urgent. Companies like Amazon and McDonald’s are responding by investing in “education as a benefit”…

Read More
belief
Learning Out Loud with Belief, Courage, and the Power of Yes
July 30, 2025

In a world where workplace disengagement is on the rise, with global employee engagement falling to just 21% in 2024, leaders and teams are increasingly seeking meaning, connection, and growth in their work. Amid this shift, professionals are asking deeper questions about purpose and fulfillment, both individually and collectively. That’s exactly where Paul Plamondon’s…

Read More
professional advancement
The Measured Mindset: How Mentorship, Curiosity, and Listening Drive Professional Advancement and Growth
July 29, 2025

Not every path into analytics starts with code and spreadsheets. For some, it begins with curiosity, adaptability, mentorship, and a willingness to learn something entirely new. That’s the case for Mayank Malviya, whose journey from a humanities education in India to a career in U.S.-based market research reveals how initiative and mentorship can accelerate…

Read More