Gains in iron, building material shipments push Arkansas River tonnage up 12%

by Michael Tilley (mtilley@talkbusiness.net)

Even with an 8.4% decline and 12.2% decline in August and September, respectively, tonnage on the Arkansas River totaled 9.282 million tons through September, up 12%, according to the U.S. Corps of Engineers.

Inbound shipments – those coming from off the river system – totaled 3.463 million tons during the first nine months of 2023, up 31% compared with the same period in 2022. Outbound shipments in the first nine months totaled 3.111 million tons, up 6% compared with the same period in 2022. Internal shipments – those sent between port operations on the river – totaled 2.707 million tons in the first nine months, down 1% compared with the 2022 period.

September tonnage of 858,756 tons was down 12.2% compared with September 2022. August tonnage was 974,263 tons, down 8.4% compared with August 2022.

Gains in iron, building material shipments push Arkansas River tonnage up 12%