b'34American Journal ofTransportation ajot.comUnique challenges impact bulk shipping of rock salt in 2025Ittakesmorethanapinchofsalttokeepthe nationshighwaysclearofice,andtariffswill complicate the job.Debra Phillips, AJOT Manycommoditiesareingastateofemergency. sold and shipped in bulk quan- Some municipalities explored tities. One of the most commonalternative solutions, such as is rock salt, which is used formixing salt with sand, while melting ice and snow on roads,othershavebeenrestricting sidewalks,parkinglots,andsaltusetomainroadsand othersurfacestoensuresafeintersections.transportation for motorists orThe long period of cold pedestrians.Rocksaltisalsoweathereventsandheavy a critical component of a widesnowfallacrosstheU.S.inBREAKBULK range of industries.multipleregionscausedan Therocksaltindustryunpredictedincreaseinthe in the US today is facing andemand for rock salt, exceed- QUARTERLYongoing nationwide shortageingsuppliesfromdomestic ofproductandtheimpact(IMPACT continued on ofincreasedtariffs. TheUSpage 36) Road salt (+80,000 tons), was shipped at record levels through Indianas ports during recent winter storms.currently imports 25% of the rocksaltuseddomestically, making tariffs a concern. InEXPERT LOGISTICS addition to these unique situ-ations,shippingbulkrock salt at any time presents chal- ON DEMANDlengesduetothecommod-itystendencytocorrode, moisture sensitivity, and spe-cialized handling and storingANYWHERE. ANYTIME. ON TIME. requirements.r oCks alt isk ey tom uChm oret hanr oaDD e -i CinGRock salt is a key ingre-dientintheproductionofa variety of chemicals, includ-ingsodiumchloride(table salt)andhydrochloricacid. Inthetextileindustry,rock saltisoftenusedasadye enhancer, ensuring that colors fully penetrate fabrics.Not only is rock salt used to improve the flavor of foods, but it also plays a part in food processing, helping extend the shelflifeoffoodproducts. Rocksaltisusedinwater softener systems to temper the hardness of minerals, improv-ing water quality for domestic and commercial use.Animal nutrition depends on rock salt to provide essen-tialminerals,particularly sodium, for livestock, which are crucial for their health and well-being. Rock salt is also used in drilling fluids and for storageofliquefiedpetro-leum gases and is an ingredi-ent in the detergent and metal processing industries.a n ationwiDes hortaGeofr oCks alti mpaCtsa vailaBility , p riCesThe US is facing a nation-wide shortage of rock salt that began with winter weather and is still impacting some regions wellintoMarch.According torocksaltproducers,the currentnationwideshortage has been caused by unprec-edented winter demand andCONTACT USsupply chain issues. 1000 Foust Road Brownsville, TX 78521The result has been rising+1 (956) 831-4592prices and limited availabilitywww.portofbrownsville.comfor businesses and municipali-ties, with some states declar-'