Non-self-propelled flat-bottomed vessel pushed or towed by a tug, used on inland waterways and coastal routes to carry bulk, liquid, or project cargo.
A barge is a non-self-propelled or minimally propelled vessel with a flat or box-shaped hull designed for the carriage of cargo on inland waterways, rivers, canals, estuaries, and sheltered coastal waters. Barges rely on external propulsion — either a pushing tug (notched into the stern of the barge) or a towing tug — and are the most economical means of moving large volumes of cargo over water on calmer routes.
Types include: open hopper barges (for dredged spoil or aggregate); tank barges (for petroleum, chemicals, or LNG on rivers); deck barges (for heavy project cargo or construction equipment); and container barges used on river systems such as the Rhine, Mississippi, and Yangtze. Lash (lighter aboard ship) barges are loaded aboard ocean-going mother vessels for port-to-port distribution.
The regulatory framework varies significantly by flag State and waterway authority. Inland barges in Europe fall under the CEVNI rules and Rhine Vessel Inspection Regulations (RVIR). Coastal and offshore barges on international voyages may be subject to SOLAS and Load Line Convention requirements, typically under special trade passenger ship rules or specific flag administrations. The IMO's MEPC has issued guidance on reducing emissions from non-self-propelled units. See also pusher-tug and ATB entries for integrated barge propulsion systems.