Mission Statement

InterBarge’s mission is to provide safe, efficient and reliable fluvial logistics solutions to its customers. Our employees and fleet are central to the success of this endeavor and, as such, we take pride in only hiring the best captains and crews in the Hidrovia and in operating and maintaining a modern fleet of convoys that can perform at the highest standards that our customers expect from us. We are committed to being our customers’ trusted partner for all their fluvial logistics needs and to always put safety, competence and environmental responsibility at the forefront of our work.

Mission Statement

The mission of InterBarge and its employees is to manage the company’s marine transportation assets and related equipment and infrastructure to maximize the services available to and satisfaction of its customers. InterBarge employees are central to the success of this endeavor and as such are treated and are required to treat others with respect and support, always putting safety, customer care and environmental responsibility at the forefront of their work.

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The Barging business

The inland river system:

Inland barges are unmanned and are moved by pushboats. The combination of a pushboat and dry cargo barges is commonly referred to as a “convoy” or a “tow.” InterBarge’s dry cargo fleet consists of hopper barges, which can be covered for the transport of products that are sensitive to water such as grain, ores, alloys, cements and fertilizer and “open tops” for the transport of commodities such as iron ore, coal, aggregate and scrap.

Most dry cargo barges in InterBarge’s fleet are capable of transporting approximately 1,500 to 2,000 tons (1,350 to 1,800 metric tons) of cargo. Our convoys normally carry 20 barges. The carrying capacity of a barge at any particular time is determined by water depth in the river channels and hull depth of the barge.

Comparative:

Inland barges are the most efficient, safe and clean way to transport commodities. By way of reference, one Mississippi 15-barge convoy equals 216 rail cars or 1,050 trucks.

Barges can move one ton of cargo 616 miles per gallon of fuel.  A rail car would move the same ton of cargo 478 miles, and a truck only 150 miles.

Barges also have the smallest carbon footprint among other transportation modes. To move an identical amount of cargo by rail generates 30% more carbon dioxide than by barge, and 1,000% more emissions by trucks than by barge.

Inland waterways transport has a low injury record compared to rail or truck. For each injury involving barge transportation, there are 95.3 injuries related to rail and 1,609.6 truck-related injuries.

US statistics and graphics courtesy of the National Waterways Foundation