US Rail Freight Carloads Up Intermodal Down

US Rail Freight Carloads Up Intermodal Down

According to the Association of American Railroads, for the week ending July 23, U.S. rail carload traffic increased by 1.1% year-over-year, while intermodal volume decreased by 2.5%. Carload gains were seen in motor vehicles, coal, and farm products, while declines occurred in metals, petroleum, and miscellaneous carloads. Total North American rail traffic decreased by 1.4% year-over-year. Rail freight data serves as a barometer of economic activity, providing insights into the current state of the economy and helping to forecast future trends.

02/11/2026 Logistics
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US Rail Freight Mixed As Carloads Rise Containers Fall in July

US Rail Freight Mixed As Carloads Rise Containers Fall in July

According to the Association of American Railroads, U.S. rail carload traffic increased by 1.1% year-over-year in late July, while container volume decreased by 2.5% year-over-year. The carload traffic growth was mainly driven by automobiles, coal, and agricultural products, while the decline was influenced by metallic ores, petroleum, etc. The decrease in container volume may be related to port congestion, labor shortages, and slowing consumer demand. Businesses need to pay attention to data changes and adjust their supply chain strategies accordingly.

02/11/2026 Logistics
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US Rail Freight Trends Reflect Shifting Shipping Economy

US Rail Freight Trends Reflect Shifting Shipping Economy

According to the Association of American Railroads, June showed positive growth in U.S. rail freight volume, although cross-border freight experienced a decline. This trend reflects the complex changes in the economic environment, with a year-on-year increase in total load during the first half of the year. Future market dynamics will depend on fluctuations in global supply chains and consumer demand.

07/07/2025 Logistics Industry Insights
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US Rail Freight Struggles Amid Patchy Economic Recovery

US Rail Freight Struggles Amid Patchy Economic Recovery

US rail freight and intermodal volumes declined year-over-year in late August. While year-to-date freight volume saw a slight increase, intermodal volume experienced a significant decrease. Multiple factors are contributing to this trend. Addressing these challenges requires enhanced efficiency and innovative solutions within the rail freight and intermodal transportation sectors. Monitoring these volumes remains crucial as an economic indicator.

02/11/2026 Logistics
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US Rail Freight Decline Sparks Economic Concerns

US Rail Freight Decline Sparks Economic Concerns

Data from the Association of American Railroads shows that U.S. rail freight and intermodal volumes declined year-over-year for the week ending December 15th. Performance varied across market segments, while cumulative year-to-date figures still indicate growth. Rail freight volume serves as an economic indicator. A comprehensive analysis of various factors is necessary, suggesting a cautiously optimistic outlook for future development.

12/19/2025 Logistics
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US Rail Freight Intermodal Rises As Traditional Cargo Falls

US Rail Freight Intermodal Rises As Traditional Cargo Falls

According to the Association of American Railroads, U.S. rail traffic showed a mixed picture for the week ending February 15th. Traditional carload traffic decreased by 4.8% year-over-year, dragged down by coal, metals, and chemicals. Intermodal traffic, however, increased by 7.0% year-over-year, although slightly lower than the previous two weeks. Cumulative data for the first eight weeks shows a 0.7% decrease in carload traffic and a 9.3% increase in intermodal traffic. The reshaping of global supply chains and the growth of e-commerce are key drivers of intermodal growth.

02/04/2026 Logistics
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US Freight Volumes Decline in September Amid Steady Growth Trend

US Freight Volumes Decline in September Amid Steady Growth Trend

According to the American Trucking Associations, U.S. freight volumes slightly decreased in September, but still increased year-over-year. Economists believe this short-term pullback doesn't change the long-term positive trend, citing rebuilding demand, lower inventories, and manufacturing improvements as supporting future growth. Data analysts should focus on seasonal adjustments, year-over-year and month-over-month changes, and the weighting of driving factors. They should also be aware of risks such as capacity constraints and fuel price fluctuations. The overall outlook remains positive despite the slight dip.

02/04/2026 Logistics
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US Rail Freight Volumes Drop in September Raising Economic Worries

US Rail Freight Volumes Drop in September Raising Economic Worries

Data from the Association of American Railroads shows that U.S. rail freight and intermodal traffic both declined year-over-year in the third week of September. Gains in grain and metallic ores were offset by decreases in coal, miscellaneous carloads, and nonmetallic minerals. Despite the recent downturn, year-to-date rail freight and intermodal traffic remain up compared to the same period last year. This suggests a mixed picture of the economy, with some sectors showing growth while others are experiencing contraction, as reflected in the varying commodity transport volumes.

02/04/2026 Logistics
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Northwest Seaport Sees Container Decline Auto Shipments Rise

Northwest Seaport Sees Container Decline Auto Shipments Rise

The Northwest Seaport Alliance saw a 22% year-over-year decrease in international container throughput in August, though it improved compared to July. A significant highlight was automobile transportation, which surged by 127.1% year-over-year. This report analyzes the reasons behind the container volume decline and the drivers of automobile transport growth. It proposes strategies for the port to adapt to market changes, emphasizing the importance of diversifying business, optimizing supply chains, and enhancing service quality to maintain competitiveness and resilience in a dynamic global trade environment.

01/16/2026 Logistics
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