Little Rock Port Reports Increasing Tonnage
The Port of Little Rock, Ark., continues to log strong tonnage numbers in 2018. The port reported a near-record month in June, with a total of 70,000 tons of cargo loaded or unloaded from 45 barges. Of those 45 barges, 28 were worked at the port’s slackwater dock and the other 17 were at the main river dock.
Logistic Services Inc. (LSI), the port’s stevedore, handled a variety of commodities: steel coils, aluminum tees, bauxite, nepheline syenite, potash, rock, sand, urea, wet cake and wire rod coils. LSI has worked 312 barges in 2018—80 more than by this point in 2017. Likewise, overall tonnage is at 477,000, an increase of 130,000 tons from the same time period last year. Terminal operations saw an increase in activity as well, with 67 railcars worked during July. LSI unloaded 23 boxcars at the warehouse, 11 cars at the packaging operation and 33 cars on the terminal yard.
“August started strong across the docks, and LSI expects to handle at least 45 barges again this month,” said Bryan Day, executive director of the Little Rock Port Authority. “Business for the Port of Little Rock continues to be very good, and we expect it will remain strong through the end of the year.”
Port Board Changes
The port authority installed new officers at its August board of directors meeting.
Melissa Hendricks will serve as chairwoman of the board. She is the foundation director of the Centers for Youth and Families, Arkansas’ longest-running nonprofit organization, which provides specialized prevention, intervention and treatment services that promote emotional and social wellness for children and their families in Arkansas.
Greg Joslin will serve as vice chairman, and Joe Bailey will serve as treasurer.
“The Port of Little Rock is proud of the dedication and service of our board of directors,” Day said. “We are excited to announce that Melissa Hendricks will be the first female to hold the chair position on our board. And we look forward to her leadership as board chair, which we know will bring the same energy and tenacity that she has applied to make our community a healthier and economically stronger place to live and work.”
Clay McGeorge was appointed by Little Rock Mayor Mark Stodola to a five-year term with the port board. McGeorge is the president of Jeffery Sand Company and has spent years utilizing and supporting Arkansas’ inland river system. He currently is president-elect of the Arkansas Ready Mix Concrete Association, and serves as a board member of the Arkansas Good Roads Foundation. McGeorge also holds a position on the board of First Tee of Central Arkansas.
