Barges

A barge is a large flat-bottomed boat, built mainly for river and canal transport of heavy goods. Most barges are not self-propelled and need to be towed by tugboats or pushed by towboats. Barges are used today for low-value bulk items, as the cost of hauling goods by barge is very low. A typical barge measures 195 feet by 35 feet and can carry up to 1,500 tons of cargo. Extremely large objects are normally shipped in sections and assembled onsite, but shipping an assembled unit reduced costs and avoided reliance on construction labor at the delivery site. Self-propelled barges may be used as such when traveling downstream or upstream in placid waters.

Most however are operate as an unpowered barges, with the assistance of a tugboat, when traveling upstream in faster waters. Canal barges are usually made for the particular canal in which they will operate.