# Ocean freight rates approach four-year high | World Grain

> USDA's Grain Transportation Report shows ocean freight rates from the US Gulf and Pacific Northwest to Japan reached their highest in nearly four years in the week ended May 14. Gulf-to-Japan rose to $72 per tonne and PNW-to-Japan to $37.25, up 44% and 41% year to date. Bunker fuel costs remain elevated, with VLSFO at $919 per tonne as of May 15.

- Date: 2026-05-25 · published 2026-05-25T12:00:00.000Z
- Category: logistics · region US · magnitude medium
- Page: https://feedsoft.ai/events/19449-ocean-freight-rates-approach-four-year-high-world-grain
- Commodities: [Ocean Grain Freight](https://feedsoft.ai/c/OCEANFRT.md), [Crude Oil (Brent)](https://feedsoft.ai/c/BRENT.md)

## Why it matters

Higher ocean freight raises the landed and FOB costs of grain and meal exports, narrowing US export margins and pressuring US basis while supporting competing origins. Elevated bunker costs add to the upward pressure.

## Read by commodity

- BRENT: neutral
- OCEANFRT: bullish ▲

## Similar past events

| Commodity | Date | Event | 5-day % | 20-day % |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| BRENT | 2019-08-30 | [Iron Ore Freight Starts to Cost a Ton as Great Fuel Shift Begins - Bloomberg](https://feedsoft.ai/events/57778-iron-ore-freight-starts-to-cost-a-ton-as-great-fuel-shift-begins-bloomberg.md) | +1.6% | +2.6% |
| BRENT | 2019-07-23 | [The Suez Canal and SUMED Pipeline are critical chokepoints for oil and natural gas trade -
		U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA)](https://feedsoft.ai/events/57988-the-suez-canal-and-sumed-pipeline-are-critical-chokepoints-for-oil-and-natural.md) | +0.6% | -4.5% |
| BRENT | 2018-01-09 | [Sanchi Tanker Burns for Third Day in East China Sea](https://feedsoft.ai/events/66888-sanchi-tanker-burns-for-third-day-in-east-china-sea.md) | +2.9% | -0.7% |

## Sources

- world-grain.com: https://www.world-grain.com/articles/22789-ocean-freight-rates-approach-four-year-high

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Data from Feedsoft AI (https://feedsoft.ai/). For information only; not investment advice.