Weekly U.S. Rail Loadings Down

WASHINGTON - Feb 16/06 - SNS -- The number of carloads of grains and oilseeds delivered to U.S. ports for the week ending February 8 dropped, according to the USDA's Transportation and Marketing Programs/Transportation Services Branch weekly Grain Transportation Report.

Total carloads delivered to major port areas during the week totalled 9,226, down from 9,786 the previous week. This lifted calendar year to date deliveries to 56,626 cars, up 2% from the 55,577 cars unloaded during the same period last year.

In releasing its latest transportation update, the USDA noted significant increases in the size of the world's dry bulk fleet is beginning to offset the impact of continuing, strong raw material imports by China.

"The year began with relatively high rates in January. During this period, the rate for the U.S. Gulf-to-Japan route was $60 per metric ton (MT), and the Pacific Northwest (PNW)-to-Japan route was $36.44 per metric ton (MT). The U.S. Gulf-to-Rotterdam (transatlantic) route was $37.33 MT. These high rates resulted from tight vessel supply and increased demand for bulk shipments during 2004.

"Ocean rates continued to be relatively high during February and March. The quarterly average was about $61 MT for the U.S. Gulf route, $38 MT for the PNW route and $37 MT for the transatlantic route. Strong global demand for iron ore, coal, and other bulk commodities contributed to the higher ocean freight rates," the USDA said.

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