North American Intermodal Traffic Declines Amid Industry Shifts

North American Intermodal Traffic Declines Amid Industry Shifts

Data from the Intermodal Association of North America (IANA) shows a continued decline in North American intermodal volumes, though the rate of decrease is slowing. This downturn is attributed to a combination of macroeconomic conditions, internal industry factors, and geopolitical influences. IANA suggests that challenges and opportunities coexist, identifying cross-border trade as a potential growth area. Businesses need to transform and innovate, improve service quality and efficiency, expand service offerings, embrace technological innovation, and strengthen cooperation and collaboration to succeed in this evolving landscape.

01/29/2026 Logistics
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US Rail Freight Automotive Grain Up As Intermodal Lags

US Rail Freight Automotive Grain Up As Intermodal Lags

The Association of American Railroads (AAR) reported a mixed performance in U.S. rail freight for the week ending March 21. Traditional carload traffic saw a slight year-over-year decrease, but grain and automotive shipments performed strongly. Intermodal volume, however, bucked the trend and increased. Year-to-date figures show a small increase in carload volume, while intermodal volume experienced a slight decline. The U.S. rail freight market is undergoing a transformation and upgrade, requiring proactive responses to challenges and the seizing of opportunities.

01/29/2026 Logistics
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Warehousing Automation Boosts Demand for Supply Chain Technicians

Warehousing Automation Boosts Demand for Supply Chain Technicians

A report by the National Center for Supply Chain Technology Education projects a 30% surge in demand for supply chain technicians in the US over the next two years, adding approximately 61,000 new positions. The report highlights the core skills required for this profession, the current state of education and training, and industry distribution. It emphasizes the need for both companies and individuals to seize automation opportunities and address the evolving skills challenges within the supply chain sector. This presents significant career development potential.

01/29/2026 Logistics Industry Insights
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Amazon Handmade Expands Amid Ecommerce Craft Boom

Amazon Handmade Expands Amid Ecommerce Craft Boom

This article delves into the opportunities and challenges within the Amazon Handmade category, analyzing its sales distribution characteristics and competitive landscape. It emphasizes the importance of independent thinking and antifragile mindset, and proposes strategies for refined operations and differentiated competition. The aim is to help sellers realize creative monetization within the Handmade category. This includes carefully selecting products, understanding the target audience, and implementing marketing strategies tailored to handmade goods. By focusing on quality and unique offerings, sellers can thrive in this niche market.

01/30/2026 Logistics Industry Insights
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Retail Sales Growth Reshapes Logistics Industry Trends

Retail Sales Growth Reshapes Logistics Industry Trends

Retail sales are a crucial indicator for the logistics industry to understand the economic pulse. They directly reflect consumer spending, predict freight demand, and guide logistics decisions. This article delves into the impact of retail sales on logistics, exploring how logistics companies can leverage this metric to seize market opportunities, address challenges, and achieve sustainable development. By closely monitoring retail sales data, logistics providers can optimize their operations, anticipate fluctuations in demand, and make informed strategic choices to remain competitive in a dynamic market.

01/29/2026 Logistics Industry Insights
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Retail Sales Data Reveals Key Logistics Industry Trends

Retail Sales Data Reveals Key Logistics Industry Trends

Retail sales forecasting is increasingly important as a key indicator for the logistics industry to assess economic health. This paper analyzes the relationship between retail sales data and consumer confidence, economic activity, and tax policies. It also looks ahead to the future trends of collaborative development between the retail and logistics industries, emphasizing the significance of retail sales forecasting for logistics companies to optimize operational strategies and seize market opportunities. Accurate forecasting allows for better resource allocation, inventory management, and ultimately, improved profitability for logistics providers.

01/29/2026 Logistics Industry Insights
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Freight Market Rebounds As Trucking LTL and Parcel Prices Rise by 2026

Freight Market Rebounds As Trucking LTL and Parcel Prices Rise by 2026

The TD Cowen/AFS Freight Index report suggests a potential freight market recovery by 2026. Truckload capacity is contracting amidst weak demand, while LTL pricing remains firm. Parcel costs are rising due to surcharges and billing rules. Businesses should monitor these market dynamics, optimize their operations, and capitalize on emerging opportunities. The report highlights the importance of adapting to evolving conditions in the freight sector to maintain competitiveness and efficiency in logistics management. Strategic planning and proactive adjustments are crucial for navigating the changing landscape.

01/29/2026 Logistics Industry Insights
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Yiwu Market Expands to Melbourne Targets Australian Buyers

Yiwu Market Expands to Melbourne Targets Australian Buyers

Melbourne Yiwu Branch Market is globally recruiting businesses, helping Chinese manufacturing enterprises brand and export to Australia. With a showroom-warehouse integrated model, it provides full-chain services, enabling businesses to share opportunities in the Southern Hemisphere market. This initiative aims to facilitate the entry of Chinese-made products into the Australian market by offering comprehensive support, from warehousing and logistics to marketing and sales. It's a strategic platform for expanding global reach and capitalizing on the growing demand for quality goods in Australia.

01/30/2026 Logistics Industry Insights
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Russia Extends Capital Controls to 2026 Impacting Sinorussian Trade

Russia Extends Capital Controls to 2026 Impacting Sinorussian Trade

Russia has extended its capital controls until the end of 2026 to counter external sanctions and stabilize its domestic economy. The new regulations clarify prohibited transaction scopes, but mainstream China-Russia cooperation remains unaffected, with key projects potentially receiving prioritized approval. Chinese companies should review their cooperation models, retain approval documents, and leverage bilateral mechanisms to mitigate risks and seize cooperation opportunities. Careful due diligence regarding sanctioned entities and understanding evolving regulations are crucial for navigating the compliance landscape and ensuring continued successful partnerships.

01/30/2026 International Settlement
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Mali Customs Adopts Competencybased HR Modernization

Mali Customs Adopts Competencybased HR Modernization

With WCO support, Mali Customs initiated a competency-based human resource modernization reform. This aims to build a high-quality, professional workforce through a modern training system, career development system, and integrity policies. The goal is to enhance overall customs performance, strengthen organizational competitiveness, and promote Mali's sustainable economic development. This paper analyzes the reform's background, objectives, key achievements, challenges, and opportunities. It also proposes recommendations for an action plan to further the reform's success and ensure its long-term impact on the Malian customs administration.

01/30/2026 Customs Knowledge
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