Situation on US inland waterways critical
According to Reuters, the water level of the Mississippi River is becoming more and more critical for inland navigation. A certain points, barges' queues are growing.
Near Lake Providence, Louisiana, about 100 tow boats hauling some 1,600 barges were lined up waiting to pass a low level spot. The US Army Corps of Engineers is dredging the river to deepen the shipping channel to allow some cargo to pass.
Yet, at least two other sections of the lower Mississippi have also been closed at times, disrupting the flow of grain to US Gulf Coast export terminals, where some 60% of the USA’s agricultural products leave the country. These low water levels are occurring in the midst of the harvest season for corn and soybeans while demand for food and fuel is high. (sh)