Over 230 million tons of cargo is transported on the Ohio River each year. Seventy percent of that cargo is coal and other energy products. Barge transportation of goods is the single most efficient, economical, and environmental choice for transporting freight.
One gallon of fuel can move one ton of cargo 576 miles by barge. That same gallon of fuel would move that same ton of cargo 413 miles by rail, and only 155 miles by truck. Shipping by barge creates less pollution, because it requires less fuel to move the cargo.
