Container options on the Mississippi
A new option in inland navigation on the Mississippi is currently under consideration in the USA. A project group recently designed a container-on-vessel (COV) service which is expected to reduce freight transportation costs and increase efficiency and reliability for shippers.
Patented A PTC vessels would be able to carry huge volumes of containerised freight at more rapid upriver speeds on an all-water route, connecting Missouri ports in Jefferson City, Kansas City and the St. Louis region to the lower Mississippi River — and ultimately abroad to Asia, Europe and other foreign ports.
Mary Lamie, executive vice president of Multi Modal Enterprises at Bi-State Development, sees this option as a means to tackle the expected rise in volumes of 40% over the next three decades. (cd)