Globally, there are around 623 000 kilometres of navigable waterways and most form part of river systems. This has created an efficient network of interconnected rivers and river basins.
As one would expect, China is the country with the largest navigable waterway network, so large in fact that it represents eighteen percent of the global length of navigable waterways. This is followed by Russia (sixteen percent), Brazil (eight percent) and the USA (seven percent). Navigable waterways in Europe represent 8% of the global length. Australia’s late colonisation meant that large quantities of canals were not built before the steam train arrived. The trend is reverting to barge transport on waterways due to environmental pressure.
Barges And The Environment
Barge transportation is nine times more energy-efficient than road transport and twice as efficient as rail.
China, the USA and Europe (and Australia) are all under-utilising the huge energy efficiency option because only part of the waterways is being used for transport.
- China 24,000 km, about 4.9 billion tons – main network is the Yangtze
- The USA 16,000 km, about 0.6 billion tons – main network is the Mississippi
- Europe 3,500 km, about 0.5 billion tons (EU) – main network is the Rhine-Danube
China is clearly the giant with their river transport volumes quadrupling in eighteen years. The world has some environmental catching up to do with inland water transport representing only eight percent of the total cargo transport volumes in China and the USA, with the EU using six percent.
Barge Hire Services For Cargo
Barges are hired for the cargo transportation products such as coal, oil, building materials and agricultural products. In the USA, energy products make up more than fifty percent of the river cargo but in China, metal and steel dominate.
Not only is bulk cargo transported by containerised cargo as well. China and the EU use this option as their networks link from inland right down to seaports. In the USA, their main river system’s North-South orientation lacks man-made arterials to the main East-West containerised ports. The cargo is therefore predominantly bulk commodities such as chemicals, oil and grain. The South American river transport system has a similar layout to the American pattern.
At Anywhere Barges in Australia, our barge-hire clients use our diverse vessels for:
- Water-based construction projects.
- Transportation of:
- construction and renovation materials for land-based projects,
- landscaping and safe handling of personal items (statues, plants, furniture, etc.),
- Rubbish removal, including household waste and demolition waste.
- Transportation of abnormal load equipment, such as:
- trash pumps,
- cummalongs,
- high-pressure cleaners,
- excavators, bobcats and more.
- Delivery of food and supplies to any commercial enterprise based on water.
- Dam and bridge inspections.
- High-speed emergency responses with certified medical teams.
- Events
- Access platform for large vessels
River transport and barge hire companies are increasingly becoming integrated into contemporary logistics chains. With growing environmental pressure, it is time for policymakers to invest further into this significantly eco-friendly, cost-effective transportation option.
To hire your flexible, quality barge services, contact our team of marine experts.
Related Tag: Environmental Boom
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