US Rail Intermodal Gains Offset Carload Declines

US Rail Intermodal Gains Offset Carload Declines

According to the Association of American Railroads, the U.S. rail freight market showed a divergence in the week ending October 17th. Container traffic increased by 11.3% year-over-year, while traditional freight declined by 7.5%. E-commerce growth and supply chain restructuring are driving the growth of container business. Meanwhile, energy transition and manufacturing adjustments are causing the decline in traditional freight. Railway companies should increase investment in container business, expand diversified businesses, strengthen technological innovation, and actively participate in policy making.

01/17/2026 Logistics
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Intermodal Transport Faces Postpandemic Congestion Capacity Crunch

Intermodal Transport Faces Postpandemic Congestion Capacity Crunch

Larry Gross highlighted the challenges facing multimodal transportation at the RailTrends conference, including congestion and capacity shortages, leading to market share decline. He emphasized the need to reshape the supply chain, focusing on resilience and capacity. Gross also predicted a future shift in freight volume from west to east. He urged the industry to avoid repeating past mistakes and capitalize on emerging opportunities. The presentation underscores the critical need for innovation and strategic planning within the multimodal sector to navigate current and future supply chain disruptions.

01/21/2026 Logistics Industry Insights
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US Intermodal Transportation Faces Supply Chain Bottlenecks

US Intermodal Transportation Faces Supply Chain Bottlenecks

This paper analyzes the challenges facing US multimodal transportation based on Larry Gross's insights at the RailTrends conference. It highlights issues such as port congestion and capacity constraints, while exploring future development directions. The article emphasizes the need to optimize operational efficiency, strengthen collaboration, invest in infrastructure, embrace digitalization, and enhance supply chain resilience to address challenges and seize opportunities. It argues that a multifaceted approach is crucial for the future success of multimodal transportation in navigating current complexities and ensuring a robust and efficient supply chain.

01/21/2026 Logistics Industry Insights
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CSX CN Launch Canadatonashville Intermodal Rail Service

CSX CN Launch Canadatonashville Intermodal Rail Service

CSX and CN have partnered to launch a new intermodal service from Canada to Nashville, providing an alternative to trucking. This intermodal solution aims to improve speed and reliability while also being more environmentally friendly. This collaboration highlights the increasing importance of intermodal transportation in modern supply chains. The service is expected to offer significant benefits to shippers seeking efficient and sustainable transportation options. Its role is projected to grow in the future.

01/21/2026 Logistics
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Yingkou Port: Supporting the Belt and Road Strategy, Creating a New Landscape for Container Transportation

Yingkou Port: Supporting the Belt and Road Strategy, Creating a New Landscape for Container Transportation

Yingkou Port actively participates in the Belt and Road initiative, with a 4% increase in throughput in the first three quarters. Both foreign trade and container volumes have significantly risen, and new international trains to Europe have been launched, establishing a sea-rail intermodal network that enhances its role as a key transit hub in Northeast Asia. Domestic trade routes cover over 30 ports with 420 flights, promoting the port's digital transformation and integration into cross-border e-commerce. Yingkou Port demonstrates great development potential, contributing to regional economic growth.

11/21/2023 Logistics
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COSCO SHIPPING Opens New East Chinacentral Asia Trade Route

COSCO SHIPPING Opens New East Chinacentral Asia Trade Route

The successful inaugural run of COSCO SHIPPING's "East China-Wuhan-Andijan" China-Central Asia Railway Express marks the full opening of a new cross-border transportation channel from East China to Central Asia. Leveraging the sea-rail intermodal advantages of Wuhan Port, this train provides a stable and controllable logistics route for the export of bulk commodities such as steel from East and Central China to Central Asia. It supports the opening-up of inland regions by offering a reliable transportation solution to facilitate trade between these areas and Central Asia.

01/15/2026 Logistics
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North American Intermodal Market Rebounds in Q3 2025

North American Intermodal Market Rebounds in Q3 2025

The Intermodal Association of North America reports a 2.8% year-over-year increase in total North American intermodal loadings in Q3 2025, a high since 2021. Domestic containers showed steady growth, while international containers rebounded strongly. A tightening truckload market favors intermodal. While challenges remain, the long-term outlook for the market is optimistic.

12/01/2025 Logistics
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US Intermodal Volume Drop Signals Trade Slowdown Concerns

US Intermodal Volume Drop Signals Trade Slowdown Concerns

U.S. multimodal freight volume fell by 4.1% year-over-year in November, continuing the decline seen in October. This reflects the impact of multiple factors, including a global economic slowdown, trade frictions, and weakening consumer demand. This data suggests potential challenges to economic growth in the coming months. Businesses and governments should closely monitor market dynamics and respond flexibly.

12/19/2025 Logistics
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US Rail Freight Carload Rises As Intermodal Declines

US Rail Freight Carload Rises As Intermodal Declines

According to the Association of American Railroads, U.S. rail freight traffic showed divergence in the week ending August 14. Carload traffic increased by 5.7% year-over-year, driven by demand for commodities like coal and metallic ores. Intermodal traffic decreased by 3% year-over-year, constrained by port congestion and other factors. Year-to-date figures show carload and intermodal traffic up 9% and 14.6% respectively. Railroad companies need to adopt differentiated strategies to address the changing market dynamics.

01/19/2026 Logistics
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