Rail Transport Costs - How Much Have They Increase?

Dave Boleneus David has over 45 years of professional experience with major mining companies, oil companies and consulting organizations across the globe. He has spent more than 20 years in geological research with U.S. Geological Survey’s Geologic Division and with U.S. Bureau of Mines’ Branch of engineering and economic analysis. His numerous investigations resulted in over 20 peer-reviewed professional publications. March 26, 2024 Content, Features, Insights data, mining insights, rail transport Rail Transport Costs – How much have they increased? Our analyst’s review for rail transport over the past decades notes the abnormally large increase in the cost to move rail freight continues and new rates now persist for a third year. The new cost regime in transportation appears a more permanent fixture since the initial impact of Covid-19 continues unchanged. What is happening or what might be a cause of the much-steepened upward increase in cost seen since 2020? Figure 1 (and accompany...