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.

6,446

Matching recorded indications

← Railroad published tariffsBarge weekly market ratesTruck rates & grain activity →

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
2026-03-17	Cairo-Memphis	Apr 2026	355.6%	$11.16	$12.31	USDA source ↗
2026-03-17	Cincinnati	Apr 2026	491.7%	$23.06	$25.42	USDA source ↗
2026-03-17	Lower Ohio	Apr 2026	491.7%	$21.93	$24.17	USDA source ↗
2026-03-17	Mid-Mississippi	Apr 2026	609.4%	$32.42	$35.74	USDA source ↗
2026-03-17	St. Louis	Apr 2026	453.1%	$18.08	$19.93	USDA source ↗

Plan freight →Back to railroad tariffs Evidence desk

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.