Little Rock Port Authority reports October shipping

The ongoing pandemic continues to suppress river and rail operations at the Port of Little Rock from previous years, but business remains consistent and stable. Port expects 2020 to continue to finish steady and expects improvement in the new year.

The Port’s docks saw 22 barges with over 33,000 net tons of cargo loaded or unloaded during the month of October. Year-to-date there have been 308 barges worked with 468,000 tons of various commodities. In 2019, 451 barges and 689,000 tons were worked in the same period. Commodities handled during October included nepheline syenite, rock and sand, scrap, steel coils, urea, and wetcake. November projects to be on a similar activity level for the docks.

The Port currently has 235 cars in storage. Rail storage has added revenue generating opportunities for the Port.

The terminal was busy with 24 railcars transloaded. LSI projects stronger activity forecast for the month of November. Outbound truck activity was strong with heavy shipments from outside storage. Inside storage saw some relief with sufficient space available for scheduled inbound barge material.

“The Port of Little Rock is encouraged by the ongoing economic activity in the Port of Little Rock,” said Bryan Day, executive director of the Little Rock Port Authority. “2020 has been challenging, but we are preparing for the future and excited to see the development of our 1,000-acre super site.”