Market Overview:

The Global Barge Transportation Market Size Was Valued At USD 97.38 Billion In 2022 And Is Projected To Reach USD 140.27 Billion By 2030, Growing At A CAGR Of 5.19% From 2022 To 2030.

A barge is a type of boat that usually has a flat bottom and is mostly used to move goods through canals and rivers. Even though these boats can sometimes move on their own, barges are usually always pulled by a tow or a tugboat. In the early days of the industrial revolution, barges were even pulled by animals that walked on a towpath next to the water. Even though there are no animals in modern cargo operations, these ships with flat bottoms are still often used. This is mostly because barge hauling is easy and cheap. A barge, which is usually about 195 feet long and 35 feet wide and can carry up to 8,000 tonnes of cargo, is a good alternative when the cargo is big and/or heavy. This means that a barge can carry anything from oil products to sand and dirt.

Barge transportation can be used to move large amounts of goods. Flat-bottomed barges can move more things than trains or 18-wheelers can. They use less energy and make less noise and pollution than other types of shipping. Most barges are pulled by towboats, but some have diesel engines and can move on their own. A single towboat can pull up to 40 barges at once. This is strong enough to hold the weight of more than 2,000 trucks. Since they travel over waterways like rivers, canals, and the ocean, their routes are a little bit more limited than those of vehicles that travel on land. But because these canals are less busy than roads, ships can avoid accidents. Barges can carry large or bulky items that won't fit on trains, trucks, or planes. They can also carry a lot of exports. Shipping goods by barge also helps ease traffic on the roads.

The growth of the market is driven by the use of inland waterways to move chemical, agricultural, and farm products. Marine transportation is a big part of how crude oil and petrochemicals get from one place to another. When people buy more oil and oil products, trade gets stronger and the barge transportation market grows. Also, barges are a popular way for big businesses to move their goods, and they are expected to grow a lot in the coming years.

COVID-19 Impact:

According to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), the first few months of 2020 saw a 7.3% drop in the number of containers going through US ports. This was because different activities in key markets were shut down. But the short-term problems caused by the pandemic haven't hurt the US barge transportation market much. Even though there was a COVID-19 pandemic, the country's grain supply chain kept going. More than 12,000 miles of marine highways led to ports on the Gulf of Mexico, where grain was shipped. The US Army Corps of Engineers kept doing their work while keeping an eye on what they were doing to make sure their employees were safe. The fast spread of coronavirus had a big effect on the global shipping market, which includes water transportation. Since months ago, both exports and imports have been completely stopped. This has caused most companies to lose a lot of money. During the pandemic, the only things that can be moved by water are necessities and medical supplies, like medicine and PPE kits.

Market Dynamics:

Market Trends:

• Rapid Industrialization

Along with more oil and gas being made offshore, rapid industrialization is a major growth-inducing factor that is driving up the demand for barge transportation. The market is also growing because more people are buying packaged foods because of their busy lives, the demand for medical supplies is going up, and the agriculture industry is doing well. Aside from this, the governments of many countries are spending more and more money to improve the infrastructure of inland waterways, which is helping the market grow. Also, a number of top companies offer different facilities, like infrastructure, warehouses, refueling, and intermodal shipping. These companies are also putting a lot of effort into mergers and acquisitions (M&A), collaborations, and partnerships with other companies to improve designs, make new products, and grow their market share. This, along with the growing use of the internet of things (IoT), is likely to lead to more barge transportation in the years to come.

Driving Factors:

• Rising Crude Oil Movement by Barges

Barge transportation is easy, so more crude oil is being moved by barge. Pipelines are more expensive than barges to move large amounts of crude oil. Also, there are a lot of tar grains of sand near river basins in North America. This means that barges are needed to move the tar. During the forecast period, the market will grow because more crude oil will be moved by barges.

• Growing Demand for Cost-Effective Transportation Drives Market Growth

Barges are often used to move dry goods, like agricultural products, because they are a cheap way to do so. Sea transport is cheaper than other ways of getting things from one place to another and can ship large amounts of goods. Transit and transportation organizations all over the US are using digital technology to increase throughput, improve security, and give customers a better experience. Transportation authorities are forming partnerships with the private sector to speed up projects like multimodal transportation, self-driving and connected cars, mileage-based pricing systems, and more. So, the main thing driving the demand for barge transportation in cargo logistics in the US is the rise in the number of goods that need to be moved.

• Increasing Import and Export Activities between Different Countries

The barge transportation market is likely to grow because more goods are being sent from one country to another. In the past few years, barge transportation has grown because it can carry a lot of goods and is a good way to move industrial goods compared to other types of transportation. The industrial revolution in Asia and the strategy that the major players in the US and Europe used to go global in order to get a piece of the untapped market gave the barge transportation market a great chance to grow in the recent past. Also, the demand for barge transportation between two countries in Asia is still growing because of the rise of industry there.

Restraints:

• High Entry Barrier in the Barge Transportation Market 

The market for barge transportation is hard to grow because it is hard to get into. The global inland shipping market is capital-intensive. This is because buying and maintaining inland shipping fleets costs a lot of money. Also, the costs of maintaining a fleet are high because of things like modernization, cleaning, and crew salaries. All of these things hurt transportation on inland waterways. So, during the forecast period, the inland water transportation market will not grow as fast as it could because it is hard to get into.

• Weather Condition

Weather problems like high winds, heavy rains, and ice can make it hard to move things by barge. These problems can cause delays and make accidents more likely, which can make it harder to get around by barge. Some places may not have waterways that lead to them, which makes barge transportation less of an option. This is especially true for areas that are landlocked or don't have well-developed waterways. Other ways of getting around, like trains and trucks, are a threat to barge transportation. These ways of getting around are more flexible and can often move things faster, which makes them more appealing to some customers. Locks and dams, which are used for barge transportation, may be old and in need of repair. This can affect how well and safely barges move people and goods, which can make costs go up and demand go down.

Opportunities:

• Growth Opportunities in Petrochemical Industries

The growing need for shipping petrochemicals in the US domestic market is good for the global market as a whole. Many agricultural areas have access to inland waterway systems, such as barges, that can be used to move goods like pesticides. The market will grow even more as end-user industries like construction, automotive, and packaging grow. Also, many companies that offer barge transportation services are adding more tankers to their barge fleets, which will help the market grow over the next few years.

• Sustainable and Green Transportation

As people worry more about the health of the environment, barge transportation companies have a growing chance to market themselves as more environmentally friendly alternatives to trucks and trains. Transport by barge produces less pollution per ton-mile than transport by road or rail, which makes it a good choice for companies that want to reduce their carbon footprint.

• Infrastructure Investment

Many waterway systems and ports need to be updated and made bigger so they can handle bigger barges and work better. Infrastructure projects that improve barge transportation routes may get money from the government or from private investors. This can lead to more capacity and better operational capabilities.

Challenges:

• Infrastructure Limitations

Infrastructure like old locks, bridges, and ports can make barge transportation systems less efficient and limit how many people can use them at once. Upgrading and maintaining this infrastructure requires a lot of money and cooperation between many different groups.

• Technological Adoption

Traditional barge operators may find it hard to use new technologies like automation, data analytics, and remote monitoring systems. Some companies don't use new technologies because they don't want to pay the costs up front or deal with any problems that might come up when they do.

Strategic Development:

• In April 2022 - Campbell Transportation Company, Inc. bought and took over all of the marine assets of Houston-based tank barge shipping company E Squared Marine Service, LLC. This is a big purchase that will help Campbell's tank barge business in Houston grow.
• In August 2021 - U.S. Shipping Corp. was bought by SEACOR Holdings, Inc. Due to this purchase, Jones Act says that SEACOR Holdings is now one of the largest tanker operators.
• In June 2022 - KSINC started using a 300-metric-ton acid barge to encourage goods to be moved by water. This is meant to reduce the risk of transporting acid on roads.
• In June 2020 - SEACOR Marine Holdings Inc. is a well-known company that provides marine and support transportation services to offshore oil and gas and windfarm installations all over the world., the company announced that a wholly-owned subsidiary of the company signed a definitive sale and purchase agreement to buy the other 50% of equity interests in SEACOSCO Offshore LLC from affiliates. As a result of the purchase, SEACOR Marine will now own all of SEACOSCO.
• In January 2020 - Kirby told Savage Inland Marine that it would pay USD 278 million for bunkering services and a fleet of inland tank barges. Kirby will be able to run Savage's 90 inland tank barges and 46 inland towboats, which can carry a total of about 2.5 million barrels of oil.
• In July 2017 - Campbell Transportation Corporation, Inc., a fully integrated maritime services company, bought 155 barges and four towboats from American Commercial Barge Line LLC so that they can be used on the Ohio River system. As a result of this deal, Campbell Transportation Company now owns and/or runs about 1,100 barges and 50 towboats on inland waterways, as well as four shipyards and a maritime construction company. Campbell is committed to giving our clients safe, efficient, and reliable service. Every year, we move more than 60 million tonnes of goods.

Key Vendors:

The market for barge transportation is dominated by a small number of large companies. Over 60% of the total barge capacity in the United States is run by the top 10 barge operators. Ingram Barge Company, which is the biggest barge company, runs more than 20% of all barges by itself.

Leading companies are using different methods, like mergers and acquisitions, to keep their market share.

• American Commercial Barge Line LLC.

ACBL, which stands for American Commercial Barge Line, is a trusted leader in marine transportation. ACBL has been moving freight on the U.S. inland waterways for more than 100 years. We move the things that help build our country, keep our economy going, and feed the world.

• INGRAM Marine Group

Since 1946, the Ingram Barge Company has been one of the best marine transporters on America's inland waterways. It has grown to be the largest carrier on America's inland waterways. Ingram Barge has the best customer service, the most up-to-date information systems, and the safest ways to train and work. Every employee at Ingram is committed to making the company better all the time. This sets Ingram apart from its competitors and gives customers the best service and value for their transportation dollars.

• Kirby Corporation

Kirby Corporation is a diversified company that works in the marine transportation and engine services industries. All of these business units focus on safety and customer service, which has made Kirby the market leader in these areas. The people who work hard every day to give our customers the best products and services are the key to this success.

• SEACOR Holdings Inc.

Since its start in 1989, SEACOR has been helping a wide range of business sectors with transportation and logistics services. They also interested in clean fuel and power solutions and services for managing crises and other emergencies.

• Campbell Transport Company 

Campbell Transportation Company, Inc. helps people get from one place to another by boat. The company runs boats, hopper, tank, and jumbo barges. It also transports dry and liquid cargo, tows boats, and fixes ships in its shipyard. Campbell Transportation works with customers in the US.  

• Heartland Barge   

Heartland Companies is a business that has been around since 1999. It offers its clients services that are friendly, reliable, and flexible. Brian Mueller is the owner and boss of Heartland Companies. As of now, it is also the hub for all the other internal companies, such as Heartland Barge, Heartland Fabrication, Heartland Rail, and Heartland Commercial Real Estate.

• Bouchard Transportation

Bouchard Transportation Co., Inc. is owned by a family and is the largest privately owned ocean-going petroleum barge company in the United States. With a fleet of 25 barges and 26 tugs, the company works on all four coasts of the United States.   

• Canal Barge

The Canal Barge Company, Inc. helps people get around by water. The company is best at moving freight, storing liquids in bulk, and providing management services. Canal Barge's services are available all over the world.

• Magnolia Marine Transport

Magnolia Marine Transport is one of the largest inland waterways petroleum transportation fleets in the U.S. It moves asphalt, crude oil, specialty oils, fuel oil, and other products all over the Mississippi River System and intracoastal waterways of the Gulf of Mexico.

Segmentation Analysis:

The market is segmented on the basis of

Type Outlook:

The market is divided into three types of cargo: liquid cargo, gaseous cargo, and dry cargo. The liquid cargo segment includes the transport of petrochemicals, refined petroleum products, pressurized products, liquid fertilizers, and black oil products, among other things. Gaseous cargo is the transportation of things like CNG and LPG. In the dry cargo segment, goods like coal, fertilizer, and grains are moved.

Dry cargo is expected to be the most important part of the business through 2025, because barges carry a lot of coal and a growing number of agricultural products. But in the coming years, the demand for coal is likely to slow the growth of this segment. On the other hand, the liquid cargo segment is likely to have a high CAGR over the next few years. This is because the demand for petrochemicals is growing and the U.S. is making more shale oil.

• Liquid cargo
• Gaseous cargo
• Dry cargo

By Application Outlook:

Some of the main things that barges are used to move are coal, crude oil and petroleum products, liquid chemicals, food pulp, and other liquids, agricultural products, metal ores and finished metal products, pharmaceuticals, dry and gaseous chemicals, LPG, CNG, and other gaseous products, and electronic and digital equipment. As the demand for coal continues to fall, the crude and petroleum segment is likely to be at the top of the market throughout the time frame of the forecast. Aside from this, the segment is growing because there is more demand for crude oil and more ethanol is being made.

In recent years, people have been using less coal because strict rules are being made by different governments to cut down on air pollution and stop the damage that burning coal does to the environment. At the same time, more people have been using cleaner, cheaper fuels like natural gas.

The growth of the agricultural products segment is being helped by the growing use of barges to move agricultural products. Agriculture and food processing technologies are changing quickly, which is driving up demand for good ways to move large amounts of agricultural cargo. This is making the segment grow even faster. On the other hand, the safety that barges provide when moving chemicals and pharmaceuticals is expected to boost the industry as a whole.

• Coal
• Crude and petroleum products
• Liquid chemicals
• Food pulp and other liquids
• Agricultural products
• Metal ores and fabricated metal products
• Pharmaceuticals

By Barge Fleet:

The market is split into covered, open, and tank based on the barge fleet. In 2017, tanks made up most of the market, and by 2025, they are likely to be worth USD 66.6 billion. The main reason for the segment's growth is the rising demand for crude oil and petrochemicals. Several governments also want people to use barges to move liquids instead of trucks so that dangerous chemicals don't get spilled on the roads.

During the forecast period, the covered segment is expected to have a high CAGR. This is because more and more people are using covered types to haul large amounts of agricultural products. Both developed and developing countries are making more food than they did before. To move all of this farm produce, you would need a mode of transportation that is active and works well. Covered barges are a good way to move agricultural goods while also lowering the overall cost of transportation. This trend is especially clear in the U.S., where grain harvesting season makes the third and fourth quarters good times for barge transport businesses.

• Covered barge
• Open barge
• Tank barge

By Barge Activities:

Based on where the barges are used, the market is split into two parts: intracoastal transportation and inland water transportation. Until 2025, inland water transportation is expected to have the biggest share of the market. When compared to other ways to get around, using inland waterways for transportation is better because it causes less traffic, costs less, and is safer. But the intracoastal transportation segment is expected to grow at a faster rate over the next few years. Over the next few years, the growth of the industry is expected to be helped by an increase in both international and domestic trade.

• Intracoastal Transportation
• Inland water Transportation

Regional Insights:

Over the next few years, North America is expected to have the highest CAGR, at 4.3%. The market in North America is driven by the U.S., which has a well-established network of inland waterways. The U.S. has a lot of resources, so it needs a reliable transportation system. Because of this, it has a well-developed infrastructure with locks and dams, water storage reservoirs, hydroelectric power, levees, and other facilities, which is good for the industry. The increase in shale oil production in the U.S. is also making a lot of room for barge transportation.

In the forecasting arena, it is thought that Europe brings in the most money in the whole world. The demand for barges is being driven by things like an improving economy and a well-developed network of inland waterways. The waterways in the Netherlands are very good. The Dutch government has also started a number of projects to improve barge transportation in the country. Because of this, the Netherlands is likely to have a big share of the market in Europe.

Asia-Pacific is likely to become the second most promising region during the same time period. This is because major steps have been taken by different governments to build inland waterways, and the region's economy is growing quickly and trade between countries is increasing. China is expected to have a CAGR of 2.9% during the period being looked at. There is a lot of water in the area, and the Grand Canal, the Yangtze River, and many other canals and tributaries make up a network of waterways that is over 24,000 km long. This network is expected to help the region grow.

• North America
• US
• Canada
• Mexico
• Rest of North America
• Europe
• Germany
• France
• Italy
• Spain
• UK
• Nordic Countries
• Denmark
• Finland
• Iceland
• Sweden
• Norway
• Benelux Union
• Belgium
• The Netherlands
• Luxembourg
• Rest of Europe
• Asia-Pacific
• Japan
• China
• India
• Australia
• South Korea
• Southeast Asia
• Indonesia
• Thailand
• Malaysia
• Singapore
• Rest of Southeast Asia
• Rest of Asia-Pacific
• The Middle East & Africa
• Saudi Arabia
• UAE
• Egypt
• South Africa
• Rest of the Middle East & Africa
• Latin America
• Brazil
• Argentina
• Rest of Latin America

Scope of Report:

Conclusion:

• This study gives an in-depth look at the barge transportation market, including current trends and predictions for the future. This helps investors find good places to put their money.
• The report gives information about the key drivers, barriers, and opportunities in the barge transportation market, as well as a detailed analysis of the market share for barge transportation.
• From 2022 to 2030, the current market is looked at quantitatively to show how the barge transportation market will grow.
• The power of buyers and sellers in the market is shown by Porter's Five Forces Analysis.
• The report gives a detailed analysis of how competitive the market is and how it will change over the next few years.