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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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
2020-01-21	Lower Ohio	Feb 2020	252.5%	$11.26	$12.41	USDA source ↗
2020-01-21	St. Louis	Feb 2020	235.0%	$9.38	$10.34	USDA source ↗
2020-01-14	Cairo-Memphis	Feb 2020	219.0%	$6.88	$7.58	USDA source ↗
2020-01-14	Cincinnati	Feb 2020	248.0%	$11.63	$12.82	USDA source ↗
2020-01-14	Lower Ohio	Feb 2020	248.0%	$11.06	$12.19	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.