Corps taking deep route on the LMR

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ 2020 work plan included funds for infrastructure projects in Louisiana, including $85M to deepen the Mississippi River to 50 feet. The 256 miles on the Lower Mississippi River (LMR) – from Baton Rouge to the Gulf of Mexico - is in the process of being dredged. The ship channel from the Gulf to Reserve, La., has been completed. The stretch of reiver between Baton Rouge and the Gulf is where more than 50 percent of U.S. corn and soybeans are shipped to U.S. export markets. The project provides deep draft access to ports at Baton Rouge, New Orleans, South Louisiana, St. Bernard and Plaquemines. In addition to enhancing commerce, the project has helped the state reclaim some lands that had eroded for years. It has created over 26,000 acres of habitat on the LMR, Col. Stephen Murphy, commander of the Corps’ New Orleans District, said on a panel entitled, “What it Takes to Deepen the Mississippi River,” at the International Work Boat Show in New Orleans. Another panelist, Landry Kirk, director of marine services for the New Orleans Board of Trade, spelled out what the project means for commerce, especially grain cargoes. Increased water depth means more tonnage. A ship’s cargo of yellow corn could increase from $1.65M to $1.73M per shipment. Wheat cargoes could rise to as much as $2.4M per shipment; and yellow soybeans to  $3.3M per shipment. (Source: Work Boat 12/14/21)