GULF BARGE FREIGHT HIGHER IN NEARBYS ON CALL

  Gulf barge freight rates continued to
  show a firmer tone in the nearbys on the assumption that
  changes in the Gulf posted prices will encourage increases in
  both PIK-and-roll activity and barges shipments, with a total
  of 21 barges traded this morning on the ST Louis Merchants'
  Exchange call session, versus nine yesterday, dealers said.
      Quotes included -
   - This week Mississippi River (Granite City, MLA if P/O)
  traded at 175 pct of tariff, five percentage points above
  yesterday's bid.
   - Next week Mississippi (Alton/Granite City, MLA if P/O) bid
  five points higher at 175 pct, offered at 190.
   - Five barges each week April MidMississippi River
  (Dubuque/south) traded at yesterday's bid of 170 pct.
   - April Illinois River (ex Chicago) 160 pct bid, offered 10
  points higher at 170.
   - May same section 140 pct bid, offered five lower at 145.
   - May MidMississippi River (Dubuque/south) bid 2-1/2 points
  higher at 142-1/2 pct, offered at 145.
   - June/July lower Mississippi River (Memphis/Cairo) offered at
  120 pct, no bids.
   - June/Aug upper Mississippi River (Lacrosse/Savage) offered
  at 150 pct, no bids.
   - Oct/Nov MidMississippi (Dubuque/south, L/H Nov
  Clinton/south) 170 pct bid/177-1/2 offered - no comparison.
   - December Illinois River (ex Chicago) 122-1/2 pct bid/127-1/2
  offered - down 2-1/2 points on offer.
  

