The article originally comes from Riverbend
ST. LOUIS – The outlook for commodities and the barge industry were front and center June 5 during a virtual FreightWeekSTL panel session hosted by the St. Louis Regional Freightway. Ken Eriksen, Managing Member and Strategic Advisor at Polaris Analytics & Consulting, highlighted the economic value of the Mississippi River Ship Channel and its significance to the freight industry and the St. Louis region. Eriksen also provided an overview of the evolving landscape of agriculture and barge transport, underscoring the region’s critical role in global trade.
Eriksen provided preliminary insights on the soon to be released Mississippi River Ship Channel market study commissioned by the Big River Coalition and funded by the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development. He explained the vital importance of the Mississippi River Ship Channel — which stretches from Baton Rouge into the Gulf of America to the Southwest Pass — to global trade. Findings show that vessels loaded with exports or imports passing through this channel contribute approximately $273 million to the economy nearly every day, and billions annually. He also highlighted the significant impact of any impediments, such as draft restrictions or closures, on freight rates and the broader supply chain.
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