Logistics
February 6, 2026
Winter weather conditions impede barge transportation, cause delays
Written by Kristen DiLandro
Recent winter storms have impeded barge transportation along multiple Midwestern waterways, according to various transportation services. Likewise, U.S. Steel said it was facing challenging shipping conditions but does not expect customers to be impacted.
Ingram Barge Co. notified customers that “deteriorating conditions” along waterways in Hickman, Ky., were to blame for its delays.
In a Feb. 4 letter, the Nashville-headquartered marine transport group alerted its customers. Ingram Barge wrote to “provide notice of navigational disruptions due to rapidly deteriorating conditions, including ice.”
The company informed customers that within 48 hours of receiving the notice they were permitted to “reconsign the barge to an alternate destination without navigational disruptions; or accept the barge on demurrage at Ingram’s prevailing rate at the temporary hold-over point.”
Ingram’s letter said, “We regret that these conditions have affected our transit and may result in increased cost.”
The VP of a prominent Gulf Coast shipping broker also updated SMU on conditions.
“The unfavorable ice conditions have moved down the Ohio and Illinois Rivers and crept into the upper end of the lower Mississippi River,” he said. “Memphis and the Arkansas River region are still reporting ‘normal’ barge movement activity for now. If you are going south from those locations, then you should be able to move. Going north from there could be an issue.”
He added, “Carriers are backing off offering spot barge quotes as the ice has a good percentage of their fleets trapped right now.”
Meanwhile, U.S. Steel also noted it was experiencing logistical issues with water transport but contended its operational delays wouldn’t impact USS’ customers.
“The current weather situation is making for challenging conditions on the river system. However, we are working closely with our supply chain partners to make necessary adjustments so we can maintain operations while keeping crews safe,” a USS spokeswoman said in a statement to SMU.
She added, “We will continue to monitor conditions and adapt as needed. We don’t expect customers to be impacted.”
A service center associate located in the Ohio Valley region said icy conditions and activity delays are characteristic of the season.
“This is something that happens every year. Some years have more ice than others, but the rivers are always problematic during the winter months,” he said.
