The Untapped Value Of Rail And Barge Transportation In Modern Supply Chains

Guest commentary by Mark McEntire (Princeton TMX) on why companies should explore utilizing rail and barge in their transportation operations.

Sep 09, 2025

Executives today face an unforgiving reality: supply chains are under constant stress from fuel price volatility, geopolitical tension, shifting tariffs, labor shortages, and increasing customer demands for speed and reliability. In this environment, resilience is no longer a buzzword, it is a competitive necessity. Yet many companies continue to rely overwhelmingly on trucking, leaving two powerful tools underutilized: rail and barge.

Both modes have long been overshadowed by the convenience of highway freight. But as market pressures mount, their strategic importance is becoming impossible to ignore. Rail and barge provide not only compelling cost and environmental advantages but also a form of flexibility and agility that pure truck networks cannot deliver.

Many strategic shippers are beginning to test multi-modal networks, and those who learn how to integrate them effectively will be better positioned to absorb market demands, adapt quickly, and outmaneuver competitors.

Using Robots to Load/Unload Trucks

A recent Wall Street Journal article highlighted how “new advances in robotics are [enabling the automation of truck loading and unloading]. Improved sensors and algorithms, advancements in AI and faster image-processing technology are making these robots proficient players in tasks that are like a game of 3-D Tetris.” This survey sought to understand industry readiness, key challenges, and opportunities associated with using robots to load or unload trucks.

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