Monday, October 6, 2025

Will Old Man River have another year of restrictions?

Happy Monday!  Welcome back to another week of ESC News Blog! 

We hope everyone had a little fun and relaxation time over the weekend!  Let’s get started!   

Previously we have spoken on the restrictions which have been inflicted on the Panama Canal from lack of rain which crippled the shipping industry in years past.  We forget how important our local waterways are when it comes to American goods getting out to the world!  One of the most important waterways for the Midwest has had problems in previous years and now it appears it will happen again during harvest season.  The Mississippi River and its tributaries are having another low year which may inflict harm to shipping. 

Did anyone happen to read the gCaptain Shipping Newsletter on October 6, 2025, they have an article titled, “Mississippi River Crisis: Low Water Levels Threatened Critical Harvest Season Shipping for Third Straight Year”?  In the article, it spoke on how the Mississippi River, and its tributaries are in a drought for the third year in a row.  The timing of the drought is the problem; it’s harvest season!  The Mississippi River is a major trade route for the Midwest’s harvest to be brought down to be exported to the world especially corn and soybeans.  The river and its tributaries are very low, and this causes restrictions to the number of barges tied together and weight of the barge which may float down to New Orleans.  A river gauge in Cairo, Illinois has the river being more than 9 feet lower than the decade average.  River gauges in Memphis and New Orleans both have the river low in their areas, too.  There is hope for rain which will help, nonetheless until it comes folks who transport by the river will be biting their nails.  If you would like to read more of the gCaptain’s article, please click the link: Mississippi River Crisis: Low Water Levels Threaten Critical Harvest Season Shipping for Third Straight Year.

If you would like help in looking into how to move your liquids and reduce your emissions, contact us via email in the Blog and check out our ESC website!

We hope you have a wonderful evening!

**Disclaimer: You may be charged a fee to read the gCaptain’s article. **