Waterline / Market Evidence / River Barges

Recorded weekly barge market quotes

USDA one-month-ahead grain barge market-rate indications across selected Mississippi and Ohio river regions. These are published price observations, not carrier availability or an executable quote for your shipment.

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Matching recorded indications

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Interpretation: The reported rate is a percentage of each river region’s 1976 tariff benchmark. Waterline displays both that original percentage and a derived approximate USD per metric ton. These indications represent southbound inland grain barge service for the following month, not a Great Lakes vessel quote, contract price, complete Chicago-to-destination shipment, or capacity commitment. No unrelated river price is applied to the planner’s routes.

Reported week	Origin river area	Rate for month	Published % of tariff	Derived USD/short ton	Derived USD/metric ton	Original source
2024-04-30	Lower Ohio	May 2024	246.9%	$11.01	$12.14	USDA source ↗
2024-04-30	Mid-Mississippi	May 2024	299.7%	$15.94	$17.57	USDA source ↗
2024-04-30	St. Louis	May 2024	213.8%	$8.53	$9.40	USDA source ↗
2024-04-30	Twin Cities	May 2024	331.1%	$20.49	$22.59	USDA source ↗
2024-04-23	Cairo-Memphis	May 2024	198.3%	$6.23	$6.86	USDA source ↗

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Data: USDA AMS — Downbound Grain Barge Rates: One Month Future Rates. Converted figures use USDA’s regional 1976 tariff benchmarks and 1.102311 short tons per metric ton. A reported period is not a binding carrier quote. Original records may later be revised.