U.S. Freight Data: Diesel Drops Sharply While East Coast Ports Hold Ten Vessels Awaiting Berths

Snapshot of U.S. Logistics: Falling Fuel and Barge Rates, Mixed Port Queues

The latest weekly freight data from the Bureau of Transportation Statistics, covering the period ending July 27, paints a picture of declining fuel costs and uneven port congestion. The weighted average U.S. diesel price dropped to $4.796 per gallon, down from $5.134 the previous week and $5.313 two weeks prior, offering immediate relief to trucking and rail operations.

Port activity showed a mixed picture. No containerships were anchored off West Coast or Gulf Coast ports. The East Coast reported ten vessels at anchor, with five of those concentrated at the Port of Savannah. This marks a sharp increase from earlier in the same week, when just two vessels were awaiting berths nationwide. The data is based on Tuesday afternoon AIS snapshots and is subject to revision.

Class I rail operations recorded 256,117 non‑intermodal carloads and 305,027 intermodal units. Terminal dwell times varied significantly: while CPKC’s Laredo Yard averaged just 4.38 hours, CSX’s Waycross terminal reached 51.24 hours. Average train speeds ranged from 21.1 mph (NS) to 24.7 mph (BNSF).

Downbound grain barge rates on the Mississippi River System fell at almost every reporting point. The Twin Cities rate declined to $45.43 per ton, St. Louis to $19.01, and Cairo-Memphis to $13.15. The total capacity of containerships calling at U.S. ports edged up to 2,228,017 TEUs, with the agency noting the series now uses CBP vessel management data, counting only ships entering port to load or unload.

Behind the Numbers: What the Latest Freight Metrics Mean for Shippers and Carriers

Port Congestion: West Coast Clear, Savannah Bottlenecks

The absence of anchored vessels on the West Coast suggests that the surge of cargo diversions from East Coast ports earlier in the year has largely subsided. However, Savannah’s five waiting ships indicate lingering pressure, possibly from import volumes or vessel bunching. The earlier snapshot of just two vessels nationally highlights how quickly congestion can shift within a single week.

Diesel Prices: Significant Decline Offers Breathing Room

A $0.338 per gallon week‑over‑week drop is a material reduction in fuel surcharge costs for trucking, rail, and barge operators. While crude oil markets and demand softening may be behind the move, the immediate effect is lower operating expenses across road and rail networks. If sustained, it could modestly ease overall freight rates.

Rail Performance: Terminal Dwell Times Show Wide Disparities

The rail data underscores that average system speeds mask serious local inefficiencies. Waycross’s 51.24‑hour dwell and Conway’s 34.8‑hour dwell represent potential service hotspots that can delay carload and intermodal traffic. For shippers using those corridors, real‑time monitoring will be essential.

Barge Rates: Downward Trend Across the Mississippi System

The broad decline in barge rates, which follows seasonal patterns and possibly softer grain demand, makes waterborne transport more cost‑competitive for bulk agricultural exports. The Cairo‑Memphis segment’s $13.15 per ton is particularly favorable for long‑haul grain shipments.

Data Note: Container Capacity Benchmark Shift

The switch to CBP’s Vessel Management System means this week’s capacity figure (2.23 million TEUs) is not directly comparable to earlier AIS‑based numbers. The new methodology captures only vessels making official port calls, potentially undercounting capacity that simply transits or loiters offshore, which may signal more realistic operational capacity.

What Freight Managers Should Watch Now

• Trucking operations: The $0.338 per gallon diesel drop is a direct cost reduction. Consider adjusting fuel surcharge tables promptly to reflect market rates and stay competitive.
• Importers via East Coast: Keep a close eye on Savannah arrivals; five waiting vessels could translate into 1–2 days of berthing delay, though remaining East Coast ports are clear.
• Rail shippers: Dwell times at Waycross (51.24 hours), Conway (34.8 hours) and Fort Worth (31.4 hours) are outliers. Time‑sensitive freight moving through these terminals may benefit from alternative routing or buffer time in scheduling.
• Barge users: St. Louis ($19.01/ton) and Cairo‑Memphis ($13.15/ton) rates are at attractive levels for grain and bulk commodities; lock in shipments now if demand forecasts remain steady.
• Overall transportation budgets: The combination of falling diesel and barge rates, along with moderate port congestion, suggests near‑term logistics cost pressure is easing, but regional rail hotspots warrant continued watch.