This article has been reprinted from USDA's Nov. 14 Grain Transportation Report.
From November 6 to 8, Waterways Conference, Inc. (WCI) held its annual symposium in Pittsburgh, PA on the theme of “Structuring a Plan for Waterways’ Infrastructure Investment.”
A key takeaway from the program was the importance of reliable waterway infrastructure to keeping waterborne transportation economically viable for shippers.
WCI is a professional association representing the interests of users of inland waterways, including representatives from grain boards in States using the waterways.
AMS Transportation Services Division economist Kelly Nelson served on the “What’s Moving on the Waterways?” commodities panel.
His presentation included current statistics on grain traffic on inland waterways and highlights from the AMS-sponsored report, “The Importance of Inland Waterways to Agriculture.”
The report was officially released in August during a joint appearance by USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue and Assistant Secretary for the Army for Civil Works R.D. James.
Other panelists represented the chemical and construction industries.
The presentation slides can be found at https://waterwayscouncil.org/get-involved/past-symposium-archives/profile/2019-symposium.