Container-on-Barge Market Demand

This project will assess the market demand and policy levers that could expand container-on-barge (COB) services along the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers. The study will identify key shippers, high-potential commodities, infrastructure needs, and incentive mechanisms to make COB competitive with trucking and rail. This work directly supports the Missouri Department of Transportation's (MoDOT’s) freight, sustainability, and economic development goals, and aligns with the Missouri State Freight Plan and the U.S. Maritime Administration's (MARAD’s) America’s Marine Highway Program.

Language

• English

Project

• Status: Active
• Funding: $62,046.00
• Contract Numbers:

  TR202624

• Sponsor Organizations:

  Missouri Department of Transportation

  1617 Missouri Boulevard
  P.O. Box 270
  Jefferson City, MO  United States  65102
• Project Managers:

  Hosey, Jenni

• Performing Organizations:

  University of Missouri, St. Louis

  1 University Boulevard
  St. Louis, MO  United States  63121-4400
• Principal Investigators:

  Encarnación, Trilce

• Start Date: 20260101
• Expected Completion Date: 20270501
• Actual Completion Date: 0

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Barges; Containers; Inland water transportation; Market assessment
• Geographic Terms: Mississippi River; Missouri; Missouri River
• Subject Areas: Economics; Freight Transportation; Marine Transportation; Policy;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01981050
• Record Type: Research project
• Source Agency: Missouri Department of Transportation
• Contract Numbers: TR202624
• Files: RIP, STATEDOT
• Created Date: Feb 24 2026 3:27PM