The potential for barge‐carrying ships: A case study.

Earlier barge‐carrier studies propounded the hypothesis that the barge‐carrying ship technology is best suited to the trades of developing countries. This paper reports the findings of a study aimed at examining this proposition, using the Nigerian trade as its basis. Ship's port time, number of round voyages, time at sea and costs for varying round voyage distances for barge‐carrying ships and other competing unit‐load shipping technologies are examined. An assessment of the potential for barge‐carriers vis‐a‐vis other shipping modes is undertaken in terms of cargo suitability, industrial location, inland transport network and future industrialisation of the Nigerian economy. Conclusions with wider implications for developing countries are drawn. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]