For this Mississippi barge line, labor is more of a concern than tariffs

Conversations around the oil industry tend to focus on the places that produce it and refine it. But like anything else in the economy, there is a supply chain involved.

In the U.S., that supply chain includes barges, which transport oil in its various forms around the country’s waterways. Barges carry roughly 100 million barrels across the U.S. each year, and tend to be better for the environment than rail or truck transportation.

Right now, war and tariffs are top-of-mind in the oil industry, but for barge companies, the worries don’t stop there.

Austin Golding is the CEO and president of Golding Barge Line in Vicksburg, Mississippi. He joined “Marketplace” host Kai Ryssdal to talk about how macroeconomic factors like the Jones Act waivers and the labor market affect his business.

One thing that’s changed, Golding said, is applicants valuing things like personal time and work-life balance over their net income. Golding Barge Line has started to adapt to that changing focus.

“We've decided to really focus on how we can retain them and listen to our people as far as what they want,” Golding said. “If they want more time at home, we're going to offer more schedule options.“

Listen in the player above to hear their conversation.