Waterway transportation in the U.S. provides an environmental benefit by reducing carbon emissions compared to road and rail transport.

Compared to rail and road transportation, waterway transit is a much more environmentally friendly choice in the United States. Barges are frequently used to transport goods on rivers and lakes because they are very fuel-efficient and require little energy to move heavy loads. This reduces the carbon footprint of shipping bulk commodities like coal, oil, and grain by lowering greenhouse gas emissions per ton-mile. Additionally, river transport relieves air pollution and road congestion by lowering the demand for trucks on roadways, promoting environmental sustainability and economic efficiency in the United States.