US Rail Freight Rises in Early August on Carload Intermodal Growth

US Rail Freight Rises in Early August on Carload Intermodal Growth

According to the Association of American Railroads, U.S. rail freight continued to grow in the week ending August 9th, with carload traffic up 2.4% year-over-year and intermodal traffic up 3.4%. Year-to-date figures show a 2.8% increase in total carloads and a 4.6% increase in total intermodal volume. This growth in rail freight reflects the overall economic recovery in the United States. However, the industry faces challenges related to infrastructure and competition.

02/04/2026 Logistics
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US Rail Freight Volumes Reflect Uneven Recovery Trends

US Rail Freight Volumes Reflect Uneven Recovery Trends

The Association of American Railroads reported that U.S. rail freight and intermodal traffic both increased year-over-year for the week ending August 30th. Chemicals and metallic ores showed strong performance, while petroleum and grain declined. Year-to-date figures indicate overall growth in both rail freight and intermodal volume. Key drivers include economic recovery and infrastructure investments. However, attention should be paid to geopolitical risks such as inflation and labor shortages.

02/04/2026 Logistics
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US Rail Freight Gains in Carloads Dips in Intermodal

US Rail Freight Gains in Carloads Dips in Intermodal

According to the Association of American Railroads, U.S. rail carload traffic increased year-over-year for the week ending January 21st, driven primarily by nonmetallic minerals, coal, and motor vehicle parts. Intermodal traffic, however, decreased compared to the same period last year. Total North American rail traffic experienced a slight decline, reflecting regional economic variations and global economic uncertainties. This data provides insights into the current state of the freight economy and its underlying trends.

01/16/2026 Logistics
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US Rail Freight Decline Points to Yearend Economic Slowdown

US Rail Freight Decline Points to Yearend Economic Slowdown

Data from the Association of American Railroads indicates that U.S. rail freight and intermodal traffic decreased year-over-year for the week ending December 15th, but cumulative volumes remain slightly up for the year. Detailed data reveals varied performance across different commodity categories, reflecting structural market adjustments. Railroad companies need to pay attention to macroeconomic factors, supply chains, and the energy transition to actively address challenges, embrace change, and achieve sustainable development.

12/19/2025 Logistics
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California Truckers Struggle with AB5 Compliance

California Truckers Struggle with AB5 Compliance

The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals rejected the California Trucking Association (CTA)'s challenge to AB-5, raising compliance concerns for California's trucking industry regarding the 'employer-operator' model. AB-5's strict definition of independent contractors may force companies to reclassify many drivers as employees, leading to increased operating costs, reduced capacity, and heightened legal risks. Businesses need to actively explore compliance strategies and transition pathways to navigate the new regulatory landscape.

01/19/2026 Logistics Industry Insights
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BCG Uses IATA Data to Guide Aviation Industry Future

BCG Uses IATA Data to Guide Aviation Industry Future

The International Air Transport Association (IATA)'s '20-Year Passenger Forecast' provides a strategic reference for the aviation industry. Boston Consulting Group (BCG) offers insights and applications of this report, combined with its own methodologies, to advise clients on growth strategy, operational optimization, and customer experience enhancement. BCG helps clients succeed in the aviation market by leveraging this forecast and providing tailored solutions to navigate future challenges and capitalize on emerging opportunities.

01/19/2026 Logistics Industry Insights
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Intermodal Transport Growth Halts After 25quarter Streak

Intermodal Transport Growth Halts After 25quarter Streak

The Intermodal Association of North America (IANA) reports the first decline in total intermodal volume after 25 consecutive quarters of growth. While domestic containers showed resilience, trailer volumes continued to decline, and international ISO container volumes fell more than expected. Companies should focus on the domestic container market, optimize transportation networks, strengthen collaboration with IMCs, monitor policy changes, diversify services, and embrace technological innovation to address market challenges and seize development opportunities.

01/19/2026 Logistics
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IATA Calls for Fairer Flight Scheduling with Slot Optimization

IATA Calls for Fairer Flight Scheduling with Slot Optimization

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) is advocating for improvements to the 'Justified Non-Utilization of Slots' (JNUS) mechanism. This aims to address situations where airlines are unable to utilize their allocated flight slots due to uncontrollable factors. IATA encourages airlines to share their experiences and participate in refining the mechanism through feedback forms. The goal is to collectively promote fairness and transparency in flight schedule management, ensuring the sustainable development of the aviation industry.

01/20/2026 Logistics Industry Insights
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North American Rail Freight Mixed As Intermodal Outperforms in July

North American Rail Freight Mixed As Intermodal Outperforms in July

The Association of American Railroads (AAR) reported mixed results for North American rail freight traffic for the week ending July 7. Overall freight volume saw a slight year-over-year decrease, but intermodal volume increased. Regional performance varied, with significant differences between the East and West. Automotive and petroleum product shipments showed notable growth. Businesses should optimize intermodal strategies, pay attention to regional variations and key industries, and strengthen risk management practices.

01/22/2026 Logistics
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West Coast Ports Resume Labor Talks to Prevent Congestion

West Coast Ports Resume Labor Talks to Prevent Congestion

The International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) and the Pacific Maritime Association (PMA) are scheduled to resume negotiations to proactively address contract extensions and prevent future freight congestion at West Coast ports. These talks are critical to global trade stability. Key negotiation points are expected to include wages and benefits, automation, job security, and contract duration. The outcome will directly impact shippers' supply chain efficiency and costs, making a timely agreement essential to avoid disruptions.

01/21/2026 Logistics
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