Weekly U.S. Rail Loadings Rise

WASHINGTON - Mar 16/06 - SNS -- The number of carloads of grains and oilseeds delivered to U.S. ports for the week ending March 8 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 10,979, up from 10,046 the previous week. This lifted calendar year to date deliveries to 99,098 cars, up 14% from the 86,747 cars unloaded during the same period last year.

Discussing freight markets, the USDA noted that the cost of moving grain from the U.S. midwest to Germany rose sharply during the fourth quarter of 2005, rising 18% above costs recorded during the third quarter.

"The cost of moving soybeans from Northwest RS and North Center PR, Brazil, to Hamburg increased about 23% and 16%, respectively, over the 3rd quarter. The costs of transporting from North MT and South GO were 10% and 15% higher, respectively, during the 4th quarter. Rates for U.S. truck, barge, and ocean-going vessels increased during the 4th quarter," the USDA said.

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