Barge Transport

The movement of bulk mineral commodities such as bauxite, iron ore, or coal using flat-bottomed vessels on rivers, lakes, or coastal waterways. Barge transport is a cost-effective logistics solution where road or rail infrastructure is absent or economically impractical. Common in bauxite mining regions of Guinea, Australia, and Brazil, where mines are located near navigable rivers. Barges are loaded via conveyors or ship loaders and towed or self-propelled to port facilities for transhipment.