U.S. grain transportation showed varied performance across different modes last week, with ocean vessel loading increasing significantly while rail and barge movements declined, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service's weekly Grain Transportation Report.
Class I railroads originated 24,946 grain carloads for the week ending August 23, down 2 percent from the previous week but 13 percent higher than last year and 21 percent above the three-year average.
Barged grain movements totaled 384,200 tons for the week ending August 30, decreasing 21 percent from the previous week and 20 percent from the same period last year. The report showed 241 grain barges moved down river, 68 fewer than the previous week.
Ocean shipping activity showed stronger performance, with 34 oceangoing grain vessels loaded in the Gulf—36 percent more than the same period last year. Shipping rates increased, with the cost to move grain from the U.S. Gulf to Japan rising 5 percent to $56.00 per metric ton.
Diesel fuel prices increased 2.6 cents to $3.734 per gallon, 10.9 cents above the same week last year.
Export sales showed varying results, with wheat sales up 12 percent weekly at 0.58 million metric tons, while corn and soybean sales were negative.
