Barge traffic on lower Mississippi river could be delayed ‘well into September’ amid damage from Ida

HOUSTON (ICIS)–Some chemicals shipped by barge on the Mississippi river are likely to be delayed following damage caused by Hurricane Ida.

Major carrier American Commercial Barge Line (ACBL) said it is working with the US Coast Guard and local authorities to assess the situation.

“Transit delays are to be expected well into September as boats, fleets, terminals and shipyards recover from this hurricane,” ACBL said.

The US Coast Guard required the evacuation of fleets below Belle Chasse, Louisiana, an action that was not taken during any of the storms in 2020, ACBL said.

Market participants told ICIS that barges of ethylene glycols (EG) from the US Gulf to the Midwest are delayed as a result of the river closures.

The delay is already impacting values of some commodities.

US corn and soybean prices continue to fall as shipments destined for export are trapped in the Port of New Orleans and as barges are unable to travel in the southern part of the Mississippi river.

Additional reporting by Antoinette Smith and Alex Snodgrass

Thumbnail image shows the Mississippi River. Photo by Shutterstock

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