US Rail Freight Volumes Drop Amid Economic Slowdown

US Rail Freight Volumes Drop Amid Economic Slowdown

According to the Association of American Railroads, U.S. rail freight and intermodal traffic decreased year-over-year for the week ending August 19th. While carload and coal traffic increased, grain and forest products declined. Year-to-date, total carload traffic saw a slight increase, but intermodal traffic significantly decreased. Factors contributing to this include a global economic slowdown, industry challenges, and internal railroad issues. The recovery of rail freight volume faces considerable challenges in the future.

02/11/2026 Logistics
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Major Retailers Consider Leaving Oakland Port Over Protests Delays

Major Retailers Consider Leaving Oakland Port Over Protests Delays

The Port of Auckland faces the threat of retail giants relocating due to frequent protests. This article analyzes retailers' concerns, the port's response, and deeper challenges related to labor, environmental issues, and price competition. It explores potential solutions for the port's future, emphasizing the importance of balancing the interests of all stakeholders and enhancing its competitiveness. The protests are disrupting supply chains and impacting the port's ability to efficiently handle cargo, leading retailers to consider alternative ports.

02/12/2026 Logistics
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The Future of Smart Warehousing Technology-driven Transformation

The Future of Smart Warehousing Technology-driven Transformation

Smart warehousing utilizes automation, artificial intelligence, and other technologies to optimize logistics processes, enhancing inventory management and decision-making efficiency. Although the market value exceeded $23 billion in 2023 and is expected to reach $41 billion by 2027, the widespread adoption of this technology still requires significant effort. Decentralized warehousing networks accelerate delivery but face high capital investment challenges. Industry innovation is mainly led by large enterprises, while academic research focuses on operational issues, highlighting the significant potential of smart warehousing.

07/22/2025 Logistics
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Guide to Modern Shipping Vessel Types and Uses

Guide to Modern Shipping Vessel Types and Uses

This report provides an in-depth analysis of ship classification standards, characteristics, and applications within modern logistics systems. It details the features and suitable scenarios for various ship types, including passenger/cargo ships, general cargo ships, container ships, Ro-Ro ships, LASH ships, bulk carriers, tankers, liquefied gas carriers, and combination carriers. Furthermore, it explores critical issues such as ship selection and logistics efficiency optimization. The report also forecasts the future development trends of the shipping industry towards intelligence and green practices.

08/21/2025 Logistics Encyclopedia
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Chinas Truckload Freight Forwarders Adapt to Market Challenges

Chinas Truckload Freight Forwarders Adapt to Market Challenges

This article delves into the current situation and challenges of domestic full truckload (FTL) road transportation, highlighting issues such as small scale, poor coordination, and low levels of digitalization. It details the business scope and operational processes of domestic FTL road transport. Furthermore, it provides suggestions for freight forwarding companies to stand out in the fierce market competition, including improving digitalization, strengthening resource integration, and optimizing transportation routes. The aim is to provide insights for freight forwarders to enhance their competitiveness and efficiency.

08/21/2025 Logistics Encyclopedia
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Freight Forwarding Guide for Dangerous Goods Export

Freight Forwarding Guide for Dangerous Goods Export

This article addresses common issues faced by novice freight forwarders when handling dangerous goods exports, particularly when the factory lacks a dangerous goods supervision of loading (supervision) officer. It provides detailed solutions and operational advice, covering the responsibilities of a supervision officer, the risks of not having one, quoting methods, operational procedures, and precautions. The aim is to help novice freight forwarders safely and compliantly complete export tasks, even without an on-site supervision officer, by understanding the process and potential pitfalls.

08/23/2025 Logistics Encyclopedia
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Guide to 40GP and 40HC Container Shipping Costs

Guide to 40GP and 40HC Container Shipping Costs

This article provides a detailed analysis of common 40GP/HC container type fee issues in freight forwarding, along with precautions for depot container pickup. It emphasizes the impact of container type, port, and seal on fees, and differentiates between the concepts of discharge port and delivery location to help freight forwarding professionals avoid pitfalls. The analysis covers various factors influencing costs and provides practical guidance for navigating the complexities of container handling and associated charges within the freight forwarding process.

08/23/2025 Logistics Encyclopedia
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Industry Veteran Shares Key Insights for Freight Forwarders

Industry Veteran Shares Key Insights for Freight Forwarders

This article focuses on the experience sharing of a freight forwarding forum user, "Roadman123," emphasizing the importance of details in freight forwarding work, precautions for container pick-up operations, and the value of freight forwarding experience exchange. By analyzing Roadman123's interactions and past issues, it provides a pitfall avoidance guide and learning suggestions for freight forwarders, aiming to improve work efficiency and avoid potential risks. It highlights practical tips and lessons learned to help practitioners navigate the complexities of the industry.

08/23/2025 Logistics Encyclopedia
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Guide to LCL Shipping Bill of Lading Costs and Verification

Guide to LCL Shipping Bill of Lading Costs and Verification

This article provides a detailed interpretation of common issues in LCL (Less than Container Load) shipping, including bill of lading tracking, cargo inspection, and cost structure. It analyzes key aspects such as obtaining the bill of lading number, the scope of inspection fees, and differences in import/export costs. The aim is to help foreign trade practitioners better understand the LCL shipping process and control logistics costs. This guide provides valuable insights into navigating the complexities of LCL shipments effectively.

08/22/2025 Logistics Encyclopedia
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Guide to Essential Import Documentation for Businesses

Guide to Essential Import Documentation for Businesses

This article provides a detailed interpretation of the seal requirements and original document issues for contracts, invoices, and packing lists in import trade. It emphasizes that contracts require foreign signatures and domestic seals, while invoices and packing lists can be sealed only by the domestic consignee. The importance of original documents is highlighted, and key points of document management are summarized. The aim is to help companies improve import efficiency and reduce operating costs by understanding these requirements and best practices.

08/22/2025 Document Interpretation
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