US barge fleet declines, pressure indices rise.

* US barge fleet declines, pressure indices rise--The number of inland barges in the US has declined more than 2,000 from an historical high in 1998. Although 510 new barges were added to the overall fleet in 2004, 942 barges were retired from service during the year, according to the report Barge Fleet Profile, published by Informa Economics, Inc. The supply of barges in the US inland fleet has tightened significantly relative to demand over the last three years, while the inland covered barge pressure index is estimated to have doubled over this period and the open barge pressure index is expected to be up tenfold. Simply put, US inland river commodity movements have risen, there is an increased demand for barges and the barge fleet has shrunk.

The report, which identifies the line haul, commodity carrying fleet of inland barges operating on the Mississippi River system, its connecting waterways and the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway, is compiled through an annual survey of operators as well as information from the Army Corps of Engineers. It summarizes the size and average age of the fleet by barge operator for covered barges that move grains and oilseeds, fertilizers, steel and other products, open barges that haul coal, sand, gravel and similar products and tank barges that transport liquid products. The report is available for $100 each from Informa Economics at www.bargefleet.com or [phone].