US Rail Freight Sees Coal Oil Gains Amid Container Decline

US Rail Freight Sees Coal Oil Gains Amid Container Decline

According to the Association of American Railroads, U.S. rail freight traffic showed mixed results for the week ending March 4th. While total carloads decreased year-over-year, shipments of commodities like coal and petroleum increased. However, container traffic experienced a significant decline, weighing down overall freight volume. Year-to-date, both U.S. and North American rail freight volumes have slightly decreased. The future trajectory remains uncertain, presenting both challenges and opportunities for the rail freight industry.

01/20/2026 Logistics
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Trucking Conditions Briefly Improve but Challenges Persist

Trucking Conditions Briefly Improve but Challenges Persist

The FTR Trucking Conditions Index (TCI) showed a brief improvement in the US trucking industry in May, primarily driven by lower diesel prices and a slightly better freight rate environment. However, significant excess capacity remains a major challenge, making the road to recovery difficult. Market participants should exercise cautious optimism, closely monitor market dynamics, and aim for steady progress. The temporary boost doesn't negate the underlying issues plaguing the sector.

01/21/2026 Logistics Industry Insights
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US Freight Market Shows Resilience Despite Slight Dip in Trucking Index

US Freight Market Shows Resilience Despite Slight Dip in Trucking Index

The latest FTR Trucking Conditions Index (TCI) report indicates a slight dip in September, but the outlook for the next two years is becoming more optimistic. The index, which comprehensively considers key factors such as freight volume, freight rates, capacity, fuel prices, and financing costs, is an important indicator of the health of the US trucking market. Analysts believe that capacity utilization will gradually increase, driving freight rates higher in 2025, but changes in trade policy need to be closely monitored.

01/26/2026 Logistics Industry Insights
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Strong Consumer Demand Fails to Lift Freight Sector

Strong Consumer Demand Fails to Lift Freight Sector

At the SMC3 Jump Start 2024 Conference, Armada's Prather pointed out a "decoupling" between the positive macroeconomic indicators and the cooling freight market. This is attributed to various factors including shifts in consumption patterns, adjustments in inventory management strategies, regionalization of supply chains, and technological advancements. Consequently, it's no longer reliable to solely rely on macroeconomic indicators to predict the performance of the freight market. These structural changes necessitate a more nuanced approach to understanding the dynamics of freight demand.

01/28/2026 Logistics Industry Insights
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Freight Market Diverges from Broader Economy Analysts Say

Freight Market Diverges from Broader Economy Analysts Say

Armada analyst Prather highlighted a 'decoupling' between the freight market and macroeconomics at the SMC3 J conference. Analyzing historical data, he found they don't always move in sync. Changes in inventory management, supply chain structures, and consumer habits contribute to this divergence. Logistics companies need to analyze the market deeply and develop appropriate strategies to navigate this disconnect.

01/28/2026 Logistics Industry Insights
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Trucking Industry Hits Decade High As Freight Demand Soars

Trucking Industry Hits Decade High As Freight Demand Soars

The US trucking industry experienced its strongest growth in a decade, with freight volumes surging by 9.9%, driven primarily by holiday spending, e-commerce expansion, and post-disaster reconstruction. The industry faces challenges like driver shortages and the ELD mandate. However, technological innovation promises to drive its intelligent and efficient development. Truck drivers, as unsung heroes, are becoming increasingly important to the economy.

01/29/2026 Logistics Industry Insights
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US Rail Freight Carloads Rise As Container Volumes Decline

US Rail Freight Carloads Rise As Container Volumes Decline

According to the Association of American Railroads, for the week ending January 17th, U.S. rail carload traffic increased by 0.3% year-over-year, while container traffic decreased by 2.4%. Grain and chemical shipments were the primary drivers of carload growth. The decline in container traffic may indicate weakening consumer demand. The full-year trend remains to be seen, and the rail freight market faces both challenges and opportunities.

01/29/2026 Logistics
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US Trucking Industry Rebounds After July Slowdown

US Trucking Industry Rebounds After July Slowdown

According to the American Trucking Associations, U.S. truck tonnage in July, after seasonal adjustment, experienced a slight month-over-month decrease, but year-over-year growth remained robust. Experts believe that short-term fluctuations do not alter the long-term positive trend, and the second half of the year is expected to benefit from growth in heavy freight sectors such as energy and automotive. This article provides an in-depth analysis of the key factors influencing truck tonnage and looks ahead to the challenges and opportunities facing the industry in the future.

01/28/2026 Logistics
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Global Firms Adopt Trade Terms to Reduce Tariff Risks

Global Firms Adopt Trade Terms to Reduce Tariff Risks

This guide explores how to effectively manage tariff risks using the International Commercial Terms (Incoterms® 2020). The article analyzes the significance of these rules amidst tariff fluctuations, clarifies the distribution of responsibilities under different terms, and offers practical advice on how to adapt to policy changes, aiming to help businesses optimize their cross-border transactions.

08/05/2025 Customs Knowledge
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Freight Payment Risks Rise as Shipping Competition Intensifies

Freight Payment Risks Rise as Shipping Competition Intensifies

As the number of carriers increases, competition in the domestic transport market intensifies. To ensure timely collection of freight and reduce risks, carriers must carefully draft contracts that specify prepaid freight terms and identify the true payer. Furthermore, shortening freight payment periods and signing agreements with reputable charterers are essential measures to protect interests.

07/28/2025 Logistics
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