Waterways could help Indiana’s economy stay afloat

People have often recognized Indiana as the “crossroads of America” because of its vast railroad and highway systems, but those are not the only forms of state transportation.

Water transportation, a $1.89 billion industry, has expanded in recent years, and the business shows potential for even more growth.

Indiana has a number of resources that make water transportation a prosperous industry. An estimated 400 miles of navigable waterways and three major ports contribute to its success. The Indiana ports, located along the Ohio River and Lake Michigan, are in Mt. Vernon, Jeffersonville and Burns Harbor.

Every year, Indiana moves approximately 70 million tons of cargo via water transportation. As a result, Indiana ranks sixth nationwide for domestic shipping and 14th nationwide for international shipping.

Jody Peacock, the director of corporate affairs at the Ports of Indiana, explained the advantages and disadvantages of water transportation. He said water transportation is a more environmentally friendly mode of transportation – for every barge that moves cargo, nearly 1,000 semi trucks are taken off the roads. These barges, then, also help relieve congestion on the roadways.

Water transportation is a more economical choice, Peacock said, because the industry allows Indiana to haul large volumes of goods for less money.

“The disadvantage to water transportation is that rail is a bit more efficient,” Peacock said.

Despite high rankings and many advantages, water transportation has not yet reached its full potential. All three of the ports in Indiana are currently undergoing expansion, from obtaining additional acreage to building new docks.

The ports face an obstacle in achieving their full potential, however. Peacock worries that an aging infrastructure and lack of funds hinder the industry’s ability to expand successfully.

“We recently experienced a lock break at the Markland Locks and Dam,” Peacock said. “All of these locks are aging, and they’re starting to wear out. So funding our infrastructure is one of the key challenges we face.”

Peacock also warned against ignoring the condition of Indiana’s locks and dams. If they become unreliable, cargo that was moved via Indiana’s waterways will shift to other outlets.

Water transportation affects the entire state, Peacock said, not just the regions surrounding the ports. Because the industry is so large, everyone from Burns Harbor to Bloomington benefit.

“People don’t realize how important water transportation is to the economy,” Peacock said. “Ports generate more than 10,500 jobs and are a rich part of Indiana’s history.”