180 likes | 310 Views
Missouri River Freight Corridor Development Forum. ASB Barge Services. December 10 th , 2009. AGRIServices of Brunswick, LLC. 31 years experience in agriculture Located on HWY 24 West of Brunswick, MO MO River Mile 256 45,000 ton Dry Fertilizer Storage
E N D
Missouri River Freight Corridor Development Forum ASB Barge Services December 10th, 2009
AGRIServices of Brunswick, LLC • 31 years experience in agriculture • Located on HWY 24 West of Brunswick, MO • MO River Mile 256 • 45,000 ton Dry Fertilizer Storage • 16,000 ton Liquid Fertilizer Storage • 3,000,000 bushel Grain Capacity • Retail & Wholesale Liquid Blend Plant • Retail Dry Fertilizer Blending Plant
Experience on the MO River • Fertilizer business dependant on barge shipments for 31+ years. • Prior to 2004 ASB shipped • Fertilizer: 70-80 barges per year • Grain: 40-50 barges per year • Coordinated shipments with the 4 main towing companies working MO River • Active members of various MO River organizations • Missouri Levy Drainage District • MO-ARK • Missouri River Navigation Caucus
ASB’s start in towing business • ASB began chartering a tow boat in 2006 • Factors that led ASB into towing business • Last 2 remaining towing companies exiting barge business • Most economical way of transporting products • Maintain sufficient supply of products • Keep navigation alive on the Missouri River
ASB Barge Services • Leased towboat from Excel Marine of Cincinnati, OH • M/V Butch Bowman • Serve points from St. Louis to Blair, NE • Work with all major barge suppliers • Coordinate shipping to/from any point on inland river system
M/V Capt. Butch Bowman • Totally refurbished – completed June of 2009 • 2400 HP • Shallow draft boat • Push up to 6 loaded barges on MO River • Crew of 7
Locations serviced • Hermann Sand – Hermann, MO • ASB – Brunswick, MO • La Farge – Sugar Creek, MO • Midwest Terminal – Kansas City, MO • Drexel – Leavenworth, KS • Port Authority – St. Joseph, MO • DeBruce – Nebraska City, NE • Kinder Morgan – Omaha, NE • CBI – Blair, NE
Barge, Rail, Truck Comparison = 1 Barge 15 Railcars = 60 Trucks
Northbound Freight Rates from NOLA * Barge – 6 barge tow Rail – Published tariff rates Barge/ Truck - includes $4/ton handling charge
Southbound Freight Rates from NOLA * Barge – 6 barge tow Rail – Published tariff rates Truck/Barge - includes $2.50/ ton handling charge
How is the MO River different than other navigable rivers? • Swifter currents • Restricted barge drafts • Channel width • Changes in channel • Lack of switch boats at major destinations
Hurdles to expanding traffic on the MO River • River season • Grain movement has changed from years past • Heavier St. Louis drafts • Same barges in/out on tow • Lack of active river ports to handle various needs • Scheduling to have barges in place
Opportunities on the MO River • Northbound freight from Gulf is more economical by barge • Higher water flows will increase drafts • More traffic will decrease rates • Increase in boats on the river will make switching more convenient, decreasing stand-by time
Outlook for 2010 season • More corn acres projected • Record harvest • More pressure to have fast reliable shipping • Above average run-off forecasts in Missouri River basin • More inquiries about construction projects, wind tower projects