Barge Freight, Option: How Effective is it?
‘’Trade is not about goods, trade is about information. Goods sit in the warehouse until information moves them’’ – C.J Cherryh
One of the things I do during the weekend is to reflect on everything I did during the week. I try to check and balance my actions and inactions, see what I can improve on, then set new goals for the new week. Here at TGL, we call those set-goals “Tasks” and it has helped to maximize our efficiency. Well, it is a new week, the mind is open, the brain is fresh, and I am about to get you informed again. This is not because it’s one of my tasks, or because my paycheck might depend on it, but because information is key, and I love to help you open doors! Welcome to Logistic Monday.
The beauty in Barge operations in logistics is not limited to how it can convey 38 boxes at once compared to trucks moving % boxes or less, it also has other benefits. Before I highlight these benefits, here is a breakdown of cargo capacities:
Cargo Capacity
| Barge | Rail | Truck |
| 1500 tonnes | 100 tonnes | 25 tonnes |
| 52, 500 bushels | 3500 bushels | 875 bushels |
| 453, 600 gallons | 30, 240 gallons | 7560 gallons |
From the above table, the barge helps to convey a lot of cargo at once and the significance of this cannot be over emphasized. Specific advantages include;
More efficient performance of marine terminals:
- a higher crane/quay productivity, because the average productivity of handling containers in large call sizes is higher;
- a better utilisation of space at marine terminals as the dwell time of containers at marine terminals can be reduced if the barge hub terminal can also facilitate a storage function for (empty) containers.
Performance improvement of barge hinterland operations:
- improvement of the hinterland vessel turnaround time (higher productivity), because of a reduction of the number of calls in the port;
- improvement of the cost and reliability performance of barge hinterland services.
Improvement of Port Accessibility to and from the hinterland:
- A barge hub terminal may also act as an ‘extended gate’ for container trucks operating in long-distance hinterland transport. By dropping and picking up their containers at the barge hub terminal instead of visiting the marine terminals trucker may avoid road congestion that particularly occurs in the port terminal areas. Hence they also increase their productivity.
Sustainable environmental and social benefits:
- In its role as ‘extended gate’ for container trucks the barge hub network can contribute to a reduction of traffic congestion in the port and at roads to the marine terminals;
- lower truck fuel consumption;
- air quality improvement (exchange of road kilometres for barge kilometres).
At TGL, Barge logistics solution is one of the services we provide. We ensure your goods are handled with the best care possible and moved effectively. Our strategic alliances with container terminal and related operators, whether in Free Trade Zones or the Customs Territory, further gives you less-costly options in transporting goods.
For more info, you can reach us on; +234700TAXAIDE