US Rail Freight Carloads Drop Intermodal Rises Slightly

US Rail Freight Carloads Drop Intermodal Rises Slightly

According to the Association of American Railroads, for the week ending November 4th, U.S. rail carload traffic decreased by 5.2% year-over-year, while intermodal volume increased by 1.5%. Year-to-date, carload traffic is roughly flat, while intermodal volume is down 7%. The market shows a divergent trend. Influenced by various factors, railway companies need to pay close attention to market dynamics and adjust their strategies accordingly. This highlights the contrasting performance between traditional rail freight and intermodal transport within the current economic landscape.

02/11/2026 Logistics
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US Rail Freight Struggles Despite Coal Chemical Growth

US Rail Freight Struggles Despite Coal Chemical Growth

According to the Association of American Railroads, U.S. rail freight traffic decreased by 3.7% and intermodal traffic decreased by 4.5% for the week ending May 21st. While coal and chemical industries saw growth, grains and metals faced challenges. Port congestion and driver shortages constrained intermodal development. Future infrastructure investment, green transition, and technological innovation will present opportunities for the rail freight market. Overall, the data suggests a mixed performance in the rail freight sector, influenced by both industry-specific factors and broader economic conditions.

02/11/2026 Logistics
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US Rail Freight Gains in Carloads Dips in Container Volumes

US Rail Freight Gains in Carloads Dips in Container Volumes

According to the Association of American Railroads, U.S. rail carload traffic increased by 1.1% year-over-year in late July, driven by automobiles, coal, and farm products. However, container traffic declined by 2.5% year-over-year, reflecting cooling consumer demand. Year-to-date, total U.S. rail freight volume remains down compared to the previous year, and overall North American freight volume also shows weakness, suggesting challenges for U.S. economic growth. The decline in container shipments is a key indicator of potentially slowing economic activity.

02/11/2026 Logistics
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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 Retail Sales Show Mixed Signals in September

US Retail Sales Show Mixed Signals in September

September retail data released by the U.S. Department of Commerce and the National Retail Federation (NRF) presents a mixed picture. While the Department of Commerce reported a month-over-month decrease in total retail sales, there was a year-over-year increase. Furthermore, total retail sales grew by 4.5% from July to September compared to the previous year. This divergence highlights the complexities of the economic recovery. Future retail performance will be significantly influenced by factors such as the holiday season and broader macroeconomic conditions.

01/28/2026 Logistics Industry Insights
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US Rail Freight Intermodal Volumes Drop Over Thanksgiving

US Rail Freight Intermodal Volumes Drop Over Thanksgiving

Data from the Association of American Railroads shows that for the week ending November 30, U.S. rail freight and intermodal volumes both decreased year-over-year, likely influenced by the Thanksgiving holiday. Freight volume fell by 19.9% and intermodal volume by 8.5% compared to the same week last year. Year-to-date figures present a mixed picture, with freight volume down 3.1% and intermodal volume up 9.1% year-over-year. Future trends will depend on the economic environment, commodity performance, and overall industry developments.

02/03/2026 Logistics
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US Imports Defy Expectations in Late 2024 2025 Slowdown Likely

US Imports Defy Expectations in Late 2024 2025 Slowdown Likely

US imports surged by 11.6% at the end of 2024, potentially driven by efforts to circumvent new tariffs. Experts predict a potential decrease in imports for 2025. Businesses need to diversify their supply chains to address the challenges posed by changing trade policies and market fluctuations. The surge suggests companies were accelerating shipments to avoid upcoming levies, indicating a possible shift in trade dynamics in the coming year. A diversified supply chain is crucial for mitigating risks associated with tariff changes and ensuring business resilience.

02/04/2026 Logistics Industry Insights
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Supply Chains Face Dual Threat from Hurricanes COVID19

Supply Chains Face Dual Threat from Hurricanes COVID19

A joint report by Resilience360 and Riskpulse predicts that the 2020 hurricane season will further impact global supply chains already strained by the pandemic. The report analyzes potential risks associated with the storm season and offers recommendations for businesses, including identifying high-risk areas, assessing supply chain networks, and developing contingency plans. The aim is to help companies enhance supply chain resilience and navigate this dual challenge. By proactively addressing these threats, businesses can minimize disruptions and maintain operational continuity during this turbulent period.

02/05/2026 Logistics Industry Insights
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Kitchen Cabinet Orders Triple After Marketing Overhaul

Kitchen Cabinet Orders Triple After Marketing Overhaul

A Guangdong kitchen building materials factory achieved a surge in orders by transitioning from relying on traditional platforms to independent customer acquisition through PanShi's full-chain marketing solution. This involved reshaping the website image, implementing precise SEO/SEM traffic generation, and establishing a social media matrix to build trust. Consequently, customer acquisition costs decreased by 35%, the proportion of inquiries from independent channels increased to 65%, and brand search volume grew by over 200%. This demonstrates the crucial role of marketing capabilities in B2B going global.

02/05/2026 Logistics Industry Insights
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