Barges can also be used as large flat-bottomed ships carrying passengers and cargo on canals and rivers. They have no power propulsion device, no self-propelled ability, and are driven by motor boats. It is mainly used for passenger and freight transportation. Barges can be towed by tugs or pushed by push boats alone or in formation.

The split mud barge is composed of two symmetrical half-hulls hinged at the head and tail ends. It can automatically turn around the longitudinal axis to unload mud according to the relative position of the center of gravity and the center of buoyancy. It has the advantages of simple structure and large tank capacity. Self-propelled mud barges are mostly open-bottomed cargo ships with high freeboard and strong wind resistance, and common mud barges with self-propelled power. The mud barge is classified according to the volume of the mud tank.