US Freight Volume Falls for Third Month Signaling Economic Worries

US Freight Volume Falls for Third Month Signaling Economic Worries

Data from the U.S. Department of Transportation reveals a third consecutive monthly decline in the freight transportation services index in July, reflecting widespread decreases across rail, road, water, and pipeline transportation. Experts suggest this isn't merely a short-term fluctuation, but potentially indicative of structural issues within the U.S. economy, such as supply chain disruptions, labor shortages, and inflation. Businesses need to proactively adapt strategies and embrace digital transformation, while the government should strengthen infrastructure development and optimize the business environment to collectively address the challenges of economic recovery.

01/19/2026 Logistics
Read More
TD Cowen Index Shows Freight Market Cooling Amid Economic Pressures

TD Cowen Index Shows Freight Market Cooling Amid Economic Pressures

Freight indices indicate peak season strength or weakness, with varying activity across different transportation markets. LTL rates are increasing, parcel rates are decreasing, and truckload rates remain stable. Influenced by macroeconomic factors and others, flexibility and responsiveness are crucial. The freight index provides insights into the current state of the logistics market and helps businesses understand the trends in transportation rates, enabling them to make informed decisions and adapt to market fluctuations effectively. Monitoring these indicators is key for navigating the complexities of the logistics landscape.

01/19/2026 Logistics Industry Insights
Read More
US Freight Volumes Drop Sharply in February Raising Economic Alarms

US Freight Volumes Drop Sharply in February Raising Economic Alarms

The U.S. Freight TSI plummeted in February, hitting a near three-year low, primarily due to severe cold weather. This data indicates challenges in the economic recovery and persistent supply chain bottlenecks. Businesses should strengthen risk management, optimize transportation structures, and pay attention to technological innovation and policy trends to navigate market challenges. The significant drop suggests a potential slowdown in economic activity related to freight movement and highlights the vulnerability of the logistics sector to external factors.

01/20/2026 Logistics
Read More
Schneider Logistics Exits US China Freight Forwarding to Refocus Strategy

Schneider Logistics Exits US China Freight Forwarding to Refocus Strategy

Schneider Logistics' sale of its freight forwarding and customs brokerage businesses in the US and China to Norbert Dentressangle signals a strategic shift towards its core trucking, logistics, and intermodal services. This move aims to optimize resource allocation, enhance profitability, and reduce operational risks. Industry analysts view this as a strategic retrenchment by Schneider Logistics, focusing on its areas of strength while continuing to serve customers through collaborative partnerships. This allows Schneider to concentrate on its core competencies and improve overall business performance.

01/20/2026 Logistics
Read More
FIATA Drives Digital Shift in Freight Forwarding to Unify Data

FIATA Drives Digital Shift in Freight Forwarding to Unify Data

FIATA is committed to leading the digital transformation of the freight forwarding industry. Its four strategic pillars – building trusted networks, promoting standard applications, fostering interoperability, and empowering business intelligence – aim to break down data silos and enable seamless data exchange. This helps member companies optimize business decisions and maintain a leading position in the digital age. FIATA's digital projects, such as the electronic bill of lading, are accelerating industry innovation.

01/20/2026 Logistics Industry Insights
Read More
Rail Pulse Initiative to Modernize North American Freight with GPS

Rail Pulse Initiative to Modernize North American Freight with GPS

The Rail Pulse platform aims to enhance the safety and efficiency of North American rail freight through the use of GPS and telematics technology, driving digital transformation within the industry. By providing real-time location and condition monitoring of railcars, Rail Pulse seeks to improve asset utilization, reduce operational costs, and increase overall supply chain visibility. The platform's data-driven insights will empower railroads, shippers, and other stakeholders to make better-informed decisions and optimize their operations, ultimately modernizing the rail freight ecosystem.

01/20/2026 Logistics
Read More
Rail Freight Expert Tony Hatch Analyzes Intermodal Trends for Shippers

Rail Freight Expert Tony Hatch Analyzes Intermodal Trends for Shippers

This logistics management podcast features rail freight expert Tony Hatch, providing an in-depth discussion of the US rail freight, intermodal market, and US-Mexico trade. Hatch analyzes the current market situation, development trends, policy impacts, and key considerations for shippers. He offers professional advice for businesses to optimize their supply chains and develop effective transportation strategies. The podcast explores the challenges and opportunities within the rail freight sector, providing valuable insights for companies involved in cross-border trade and domestic transportation.

01/22/2026 Logistics Industry Insights
Read More
US Rail Freight Volumes Rise in Late August Signaling Recovery

US Rail Freight Volumes Rise in Late August Signaling Recovery

According to the Association of American Railroads, U.S. rail freight and intermodal volumes both increased year-over-year for the week ending August 30th. Chemical and metallic ores shipments showed strong performance, while petroleum and grain shipments declined. Year-to-date freight and intermodal volumes also demonstrated growth. Rail transport faces competition from trucking and challenges from environmental policies. Future development requires strengthened technological innovation and improved service quality to maintain competitiveness and meet evolving demands.

01/22/2026 Logistics
Read More
US Rail Freight Sees Split Trends in Carload Intermodal Volumes

US Rail Freight Sees Split Trends in Carload Intermodal Volumes

According to the Association of American Railroads, for the week ending August 23rd, U.S. rail carloads increased by 0.6% year-over-year, while intermodal traffic decreased by 1.9%. Grain and automotive shipments showed strong performance, while oil and coal shipments declined. Year-to-date figures still indicate solid growth. Railroad companies need to improve efficiency, invest in infrastructure, expand services, and focus on sustainable development.

01/22/2026 Logistics
Read More
STB Proposes US Rail Freight Reforms to Cut Shipper Costs

STB Proposes US Rail Freight Reforms to Cut Shipper Costs

The U.S. Surface Transportation Board (STB) has introduced two proposals aimed at helping rail freight users reduce costs and break the rail freight monopoly by reforming rate dispute resolution mechanisms and promoting inter-railroad competition. The proposals simplify the rate challenge process, lower the threshold for shippers to protect their rights, and consider adopting NITL's competitive switching proposal to secure more rights for shippers. These changes intend to make rate challenges more accessible and potentially increase competition among rail carriers, ultimately benefiting shippers.

01/22/2026 Logistics
Read More