Pursuant to the NGFA Trade Rules, NGFA has declared that the Mid-Mississippi River is open for navigation as of 7 a.m. on Thursday, March 19.

NGFA Barge Freight Trading Rule 18(J) provides as follows: “The Dubuque and South (Mid-Mississippi) opening commences the first 07:00 hours of the first business day after the first empty dry cargo covered barge suitable for loading, originating at or below Winfield, Mo., reaches Dubuque, Iowa. The Mid-Miss opening shall be determined by a majority vote of a three-person committee appointed by the NGFA Chairman and shall be announced by publishing the committee’s confirmation of the opening on the NGFA website.”

As set forth in the rule, the special three-person committee officially declared the opening of the Mid-Mississippi River for navigation this year as of 7 a.m. on March 19, after the MV John R. Operle reached Dubuque at 16:30 p.m. on March 18, with at least one empty dry cargo covered barge (T 13719) suitable for loading. Serving on the committee are Jeff Webb, Chair (Cargill); Dan Patterson (ADM/Artco) and Matt Tomayko (Ingram Barge).

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