Little Rock Port Reports Stable Shipping

The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic continues to suppress river and rail operations at the Port of Little Rock, Ark., but business remains consistent and stable, port officials said, adding they expect the trend to continue for the remainder of the year, before improving in 2021.

The port’s docks saw 22 barges with more than 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.

The port currently has 235 rail cars in storage. Rail storage has added revenue generating opportunities for the port, officials said in the November 18 announcement.

The terminal was busy with 24 railcars transloaded. Terminal operator 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,” 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.”