Low Water Levels on Mississippi Could Disrupt Supply Chain

“We had a bit of water come in from the Missouri River. About 30% of the Mississippi’s water comes off the Missouri,” said Parker. “The bottom line is, we need rain.”

Kevin Dempsey, president and CEO of the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI), noted that waterborne shipping is critical to the domestic steel industry. “Raw materials, semi-finished and finished steel products are shipped up and down the Mississippi River,” he said.

Recall that nearly one year ago, the same conditions impacted steel supply chains.

A pig iron importer told SMU that the low water levels are impacting barging costs.

“The lower water levels restrict the amount of material which can be loaded into barges and meet the reduced draft limits on the River. This has resulted in increased barge rates as much as 25-30%,” said the importer.

The source also told SMU that the price of barging from New Orleans to Chicago is currently around $31 per net ton for pig iron. When water levels were normal, the price was in the low $20s.  

Potential impacts of a longer drought could mean closures on parts of the river for dredging.

“There would be one-way traffic and reduced barge sizes. Traffic would be significantly slower,” Parker said.

The Coast Guard has reduced draft on barges that can be towed between Memphis, Tenn. and St. Louis, and between Memphis, Tenn. and Vicksburg, Miss., said Parker.

“These lower drafts have created a shortage in available barges especially since we are in the middle of grain season,” said a raw material buyer.

While maintenance dredging is completed year-round along the river, nine out of 24 dredges are currently working in “hotspots” where the water levels are lower.

Dempsey said that low water levels on the Mississippi have impacted barge transport for many materials, including steel. However, he expressed that the industry is “dynamic and nimble” and continues to utilize alternate transportation solutions.

“Our members continue to work with the Army Corps of Engineers and our supply chain partners to ensure our customers’ needs are met. AISI will continue to monitor developments on this issue,” he said.