Workhorses of Industry
Towboats
Self contained vessels that push the barges. Power varies from 500 to more than 6000 horsepower.
![](https://www.waterways.arkansas.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/1280px-Tugboat_diagram-en_edit1a.svg-1024x594.png)
Covered dry cargo barge
![](https://www.waterways.arkansas.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/covereddcb.jpg)
195 feet long, 1500 ton capacity
Carries: grain, soybeans, coffee, salt, sugar, paper products, packaged goods
Deck barge
![](https://www.waterways.arkansas.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/deckbarge.jpg)
200 feet long, 2000 ton capacity
Carries: sand and gravel, construction equipment, prefabricated buildings, military equipment, oil rigs, spacecraft
Open hopper barge
![](https://www.waterways.arkansas.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/openhopper.jpg)
195 feet long, 1500 ton capacity
Carries: coal, steel and ore, sand and gravel, lumber
Liquid cargo (tank) barge
![](https://www.waterways.arkansas.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/liqcargo.jpg)
297 feet long, 1 million gallon capacity
Carries: petroleum and petroleum products, liquid fertilizers, industrial chemicals, orange juice
Tow
A towboat connected by wire cable to a number of barges. The typical number of barges varies by river, but can be two to 40 barges.
![](https://www.waterways.arkansas.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/ScaleImage2.aspx_-1024x768.jpg)