what is barge

A barge is a flat-bottomed vessel or boat primarily used for transporting goods on rivers, canals, and inland waterways that larger ships cannot navigate. Barges are often non-self-propelled and typically towed or pushed by tugboats. They come in various types designed for different cargo, including dry bulk (like sand and steel), liquid bulk (like chemicals), containers, and heavy machinery. Barges are valuable for their large capacity to carry heavy, bulky goods efficiently, often serving as a sustainable alternative to road transport. They also serve as floating platforms in construction activities over water, such as bridge building and waterfront development. In summary, barges are flat, often large vessels that transport heavy and bulky goods on inland waterways or serve as stable platforms for aquatic construction projects. They are vital in logistics and water-based construction due to their unique design and capacity. This definition spans commercial transport to construction uses, emphasizing versatility and efficiency on waterways.