The volume of inland waterways freight transport in the US stood at 447.17 billion tonne-kilometers in 2023. Historical data reveals fluctuating trends with recorded peaks in 2014 and gradual declines observed since 2019. The year-on-year variations demonstrate an overall downward momentum, with a consistent negative trend from 2019 through 2023. Specifically, the volume saw a slight decrease of 0.9% in 2023, following a 2.01% and 4.58% variation in the previous two years respectively. The 5-year CAGR up to 2023 is -2.19%, indicating an average annual decline in this period.
Future forecasts suggest a continued decline in volume through 2028, projecting a 5-year CAGR of -0.72% and an overall 3.53% decrease by 2028. This points to persistent downward pressure on inland waterways freight transport.
Future trends to watch for include:
- Impact of evolving environmental regulations and sustainability initiatives on waterway freight volumes.
- Technological advancements in logistics and transport efficiency that could potentially mitigate the downward trends.
- Market demand shifts and economic factors influencing the freight transport industry.
- Investments in infrastructure and modernization of the inland waterway systems.
