Weekly U.S. Rail Loadings Up

WASHINGTON - Feb 23/06 - SNS -- The number of carloads of grains and oilseeds delivered to U.S. ports for the week ending February 15 rose, 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 9,900, down from 9,226 the previous week. This lifted calendar year to date deliveries to 66,526 cars, up 1% from the 65,724 cars unloaded during the same period last year.

In releasing its latest transportation update, the USDA noted barge rates have remained high this year instead of suffering as seasonal decease after the peak grain shipping season of October through January.

"For example, the monthly average rate at St. Louis, MO, during January 2006 was 37% higher than the average for the same period last year. Also, the January 2006 St. Louis average index of 375%, based on the 1976 benchmark rate, was 102% higher than the five-year average index of 185%.

"Because of hurricanes Katrina and Rita, barge rates were at record highs between September and early November. After falling, rates strengthened again in December due to winter icing," the USDA said.

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