DUBLIN--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dublin - Research and Markets (http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/dtvq3g/inland_water_freig) has announced the addition of the "Inland Water Freight Transportation" report to their offering.
The US inland barge transport industry includes about 300 companies with combined annual revenue of more than $5 billion. Major companies include independents, such as American Commercial Lines, Ingram Barge, and Kirby Inland Marine, and captive subsidiaries of companies that transport commodities, such as AEP River Operations (owned by American Electric Power) and American River Transportation (owned by Archer Daniels Midland). The industry is highly concentrated: the largest 50 companies generate more than 85 percent of industry revenue.
Competitive Landscape:
Demand is driven primarily by the level of agricultural exports, petroleum refining, coal usage, and chemical shipments. Large companies have advantages in handling a broad range of cargo types, along with economies of scale in purchasing and marketing. Small companies compete by specializing in particular cargo types or services, subcontracting to larger companies, and offering responsive customer service.
Inland barge companies compete with other methods for transporting bulk materials and liquids, including trucks, railroads, and pipelines.
Products, Operations & Technology:
Major services are freight transportation (80 percent of industry revenue) and towing and tugboat services (15 percent). Freight transportation services consist of dry cargo (such as grain, coal, steel, fertilizers, and aggregates) and liquid cargo (refined petroleum products, petrochemicals, black oils, and agricultural chemicals).
Dry cargo barges include both covered and open hopper barges, used for grain, coal, steel, and other bulk commodities, and deck barges, used to haul machinery and other oversized cargoes.
Key Topics Covered:
Industry Overview
Quarterly Industry Update
Business Challenges
Business Trends
Industry Opportunities
Call Preparation Questions
Financial Information
Industry Forecast
Web Links and Acronyms
For more information visit http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/dtvq3g/inland_water_freig