Freight Pulse & Law Update - 19:00

Direct answer: Freight costs are diverging sharply. Rail fuel surcharges for grain reached a record 48 cents per rail-car mile, while transpacific ocean rates climbed ahead of China’s Golden Week. FMCSA has paused USDOT deactivations tied to certain missed biennial updates, but carriers must still file.

Why are rail grain costs rising?

USDA data shows the average rail fuel surcharge reached 48 cents per mile during the second week of September: up 153% year over year. Fuel surcharges now represent approximately 11% of total rail transportation costs for corn and soybeans, compared with 5% last year.

• Diesel is above $6 per gallon.

• Brent crude is above $104 per barrel.

• Railroads collected $2.93 billion in fuel surcharges during Q2, up more than 90% year over year, according to the Surface Transportation Board.

Where are ocean rates moving?

Transpacific pricing continues to rise while Asia-Europe lanes weaken. NYSHEX NYFI reached $8,753.37 for Asia–U.S. East Coast service and $6,585.56 for Asia–U.S. West Coast service. Drewry assessed Shanghai–Los Angeles at $7,352/FEU and Shanghai–New York at $9,726/FEU.

Asia–North Europe fell 3.78% on NYFI. Drewry placed Shanghai–Rotterdam at $3,997/FEU and Shanghai–Genoa at $4,216/FEU. Rising transpacific blank sailings ahead of Golden Week may keep capacity tight.

What should carriers know about current law?

FMCSA has suspended USDOT deactivations for missed biennial updates with deadlines on or after June 1, 2026, during the MOTUS rollout. The filing requirement remains active; carriers should complete updates through the FMCSA system.

The 2027 UCR registration fee schedule rises approximately 20% beginning October 1. Also review brake systems after CVSA Brake Safety Week, August 23–29, and carry those inspection practices forward.

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