9th Annual Rail Supply Chain Summit

AUGUST UPDATES

American Commercial Barge Lines (ACBL)

ACBL expanded their Chicago area operation in July to include a new fleeting and shifting service in Channahon, IL mile 281 on the Illinois River. As a USCG secure facility with 35 barge fleeting slots, ACBL services the 15 dry and liquid cargo terminals in the Dresden Island pool. Large lower river tows and large lower Mississippi River line haul boats tows are now turned at Channahon. Southbound barges are also staged in Channahon for the north bound line haul boats to avoid the extensive delays at Brandon Road Lock, Joliet Harbor, and Lockport Lock. The line haul boats also avoid delays resulting from navigating the narrow channel between Lockport Lock and Lemont.

The Kearney Companies, Inc. (TKC)

TKC recently completed improvements including repair and maintenance of the NOPB rail spur leading to their site and constructed a new, 600 ft. common use rail track to service the warehouse for the uptick in the nonferrous metals cargo for the London Metals Exchange. The $374,000 cost for upgrades and additions was shared by TKC, the NOPB, and Port NOLA. This project which benefits TKC, NOPB, and Port NOLA is stimulating new activity throughout the Port’s Jordan Road property for warehousing and logistics of general cargo.

Port NOLA

The U.S. Maritime Administration (MARAD) awarded a $2.5 million grant to Port NOLA to support the current container-on-barge shuttle service operated by SEACOR AMH between New Orleans, Baton Rouge, and Memphis. A portion of the grant money will be used to launch a new container-on-barge shuttle service on the Inner Harbor Navigation Canal (IHNC) in New Orleans. Port NOLA will also use some of the grant money to purchase marine terminal handling equipment for efficient loading and unloading of container-on-barge operations in New Orleans.
The existing service, which operates on a regular, reliable schedule, repositions empty containers from Memphis to Baton Rouge to meet export customer demand. The loaded containers are then shipped by barge along the Mississippi River to Port NOLA to be loaded onto vessels for export to overseas markets.

JUNE and JULY UPDATES

St. Louis Regional Freightway

Awarded $248,700,000 by IL Governor Rauner for five of the Freightway’s infrastructure projects. In addition, the Terminal Railroad Association of St. Louis (TRRA) will replace the Merchant’s Bridge creating 150 direct jobs and 950 additional jobs.

Port of Chicago

The Port received a $10.9 million grant from IL Governor Rauner for the Butler Drive project. Exec. Dir. Clayton Harris III obtained a TWIC card for and hired Daniel Anguiano as part of the Jobs Program sponsored by the Port and The Rail Supply Chain Summit to place young, non-violent felons in entry level jobs in the freight sector.

For more information on speaking and sponsorship opportunities for the 2019 Rail Supply Chain Summit, Thursday, May 9, 2019, Union League Club, Chicago, please email MPitz@MEPitzAssociates.com or call 312-750-9150.