TELL CITY – Business at the Tell City River Port fell off substantially in the last month of 2015 compared to months prior. But with the holiday season was somewhat expected, said port operations manager Kevin Teague.
“December proved to be a tough month to meet revenue,” he said, explaining they had a shortfall of $44,300 in the month. That was reflected in a 10-day loss of rail traffic. “The income side, it just died,” he continued.
In a report he gave to the Perry County Port Authority Board during a Jan. 11 regular session, Teague showed rail traffic into the port fell short of expectations by 46 carloads. That was due in part, he explained, to a holiday shutdown by one of their largest customers, Waupaca Foundry. The company fell 17 cars short of expected delivery. Shortages were also bolstered by American Colloid and ORG Chem Group, which were behind 12 and 7 carloads, respectively.
On the year, the port saw rail traffic fall short by 143 cars. That amounts to a lost revenue of about $70,000. Teague said a number of ongoing projects and a shifting of companies’ priorities made it difficult to effectively budget for last year, but they now have a better idea how to more effectively plan.
That, he said, should be reflected in the upcoming year.
As a contrast, barge traffic fared a little better. In 2015, the port outpaced expectations accepting 4 skiffs above plan, with 67 units accepted. That intake could have been even better, but Teague said several late deliveries didn’t make it in time to be reflected into the 2015 accounting.
Overall, he said it was the port’s best year for river traffic since 2006.
Similarly, truck traffic also outpaced plans, ending the year four ahead with 188 trailers.
Despite the underwhelming outcomes for rail, the yearly revenue wasn’t largely impacted since less fuel was used than budgeted.
The opening of 2016, though bright for barge traffic, has experienced a few additional difficulties on the rail line stemming from the cold weather. Teague said a line near Troy had to be repaired after the frigid temperatures caused a substantial break. A faulty 3-foot section broke and a second smaller break was also discovered. Both were replaced rather quickly and no mishaps happened.
During a report from executive director Alvin Evans, he said efforts are continuing in seeking potential renters at several facilities, including at the Main Street Logistics warehouse and a spec building being erected in Troy. He said three requests have been submitted by companies. That didn’t include a new resident at Main Street Logistics, the Fraternal Order of Police, which plan to hold their meetings at the site.