US Rail Freight Declines in February Raising Economic Worries

US Rail Freight Declines in February Raising Economic Worries

According to the Association of American Railroads, U.S. rail freight and intermodal traffic both declined year-over-year for the week ending February 4th. While shipments of commodities like motor vehicles and petroleum increased, coal and grain volumes decreased. Overall, North American rail performance was weak, reflecting regional economic linkages and global economic downturn risks. The decline in freight volume may signal a potential economic slowdown and challenges for the supply chain.

01/29/2026 Logistics
Read More
Major Investments Aim to Revive Struggling Rail Intermodal Sector

Major Investments Aim to Revive Struggling Rail Intermodal Sector

Faced with service issues and declining performance, rail and intermodal providers are maintaining record investment levels to address current challenges and strive to return to pre-recession performance. However, experts point out that simply increasing investment may not fundamentally solve the problems. What's more important is how to effectively translate capital into tangible operational improvements. The key lies in optimizing processes, embracing technology, and fostering collaboration across the supply chain to maximize the return on investment and achieve sustainable operational efficiency.

01/29/2026 Logistics Industry Insights
Read More
Major Investments Aim to Revive Struggling Rail Freight Sector

Major Investments Aim to Revive Struggling Rail Freight Sector

Facing declining service quality and poor performance, rail and intermodal service providers are investing heavily to return to pre-recession peaks. These investments focus on upgrading infrastructure, optimizing operational processes, and adopting advanced technologies. Beyond hardware upgrades, industry experts emphasize the importance of software-level optimization for achieving significant improvements in efficiency and profitability. The goal is to enhance service reliability, reduce costs, and improve overall return on investment through strategic operational improvements and technological advancements.

01/29/2026 Logistics Industry Insights
Read More
US Rail Freight Intermodal Volumes Mixed in Early October

US Rail Freight Intermodal Volumes Mixed in Early October

US rail freight traffic saw a slight increase in the first week of October, with intermodal transportation experiencing significant growth. Nonmetallic minerals and other commodities drove the increase, while coal and other commodities declined. Year-to-date cumulative freight volume shows growth. Market risks warrant attention.

01/30/2026 Logistics
Read More
US Rail Freight Intermodal Rises Coal Declines in February

US Rail Freight Intermodal Rises Coal Declines in February

According to the Association of American Railroads, U.S. rail carload traffic decreased slightly by 0.7% year-over-year for the week ending February 8. However, intermodal traffic increased by 7.4%. Chemical and nonmetallic minerals carloads increased, while coal and metallic ores carloads declined. Year-to-date, carload traffic is even with last year, while intermodal traffic is up 9.7%. The rail freight market is experiencing structural changes, with intermodal transportation becoming a major driver of growth.

01/30/2026 Logistics
Read More
US Rail Freight Sees Carload Drop Amid Container Growth

US Rail Freight Sees Carload Drop Amid Container Growth

The US rail freight market presents a mixed picture: traditional carload freight volumes have declined sharply, down 13.6% year-over-year, while container traffic has bucked the trend, increasing by 2.3%. Key drivers include economic restructuring, consumption upgrades, changes in global trade patterns, energy structure adjustments, and the rise of e-commerce. Railway companies need to actively embrace change by expanding container business, optimizing carload freight operations, and strengthening technological innovation.

01/30/2026 Logistics
Read More
US Rail Freight Rises Intermodal Surges in Early March

US Rail Freight Rises Intermodal Surges in Early March

According to the Association of American Railroads, U.S. rail freight and intermodal volume both increased year-over-year for the week ending March 8, 2025. However, year-to-date, total carload traffic is down 1.5%, while intermodal volume is up 8.4%. Coal and grain shipments increased, while metallic ores, chemicals, and forest products declined. Railroad companies should capitalize on intermodal opportunities and address freight challenges to achieve sustainable growth.

01/30/2026 Logistics
Read More
US Rail Freight Sees Mixed Results Carloads Rise Intermodal Falls

US Rail Freight Sees Mixed Results Carloads Rise Intermodal Falls

According to the Association of American Railroads, U.S. rail carloads increased by 2.9% year-over-year for the week ending August 20th, driven primarily by coal and grain shipments. However, intermodal traffic decreased by 2.4% year-over-year, with a year-to-date decline of 5.5%. While overall North American rail freight volume saw a slight increase, intermodal transportation also faced a decline. This divergence in the rail freight market reflects the complexity of the economic situation, highlighting the need for improved efficiency and collaboration to address future challenges.

02/11/2026 Logistics
Read More
US Rail Freight Carloads Rise Intermodal Falls in Latest AAR Report

US Rail Freight Carloads Rise Intermodal Falls in Latest AAR Report

The latest report from the Association of American Railroads (AAR) indicates a slight increase of 0.6% in U.S. rail carloads for the week ending August 23rd. However, internal dynamics show a divergence, with intermodal traffic decreasing by 1.9% year-over-year. Overall, rail freight volume remains positive year-to-date. The report highlights the impact of consumer demand, supply chain adjustments, and energy transition on rail freight, reflecting the complex dynamics of the U.S. economy. This data provides insights into the current economic landscape and its influence on transportation patterns.

01/22/2026 Logistics
Read More
Workington Port Emerges As Vital West Coast Multimodal Hub

Workington Port Emerges As Vital West Coast Multimodal Hub

Workington Port, a municipal port on the west coast of Cumbria, England, specializes in handling various bulk cargoes, providing excellent port handling and warehousing services. The port boasts modern quayside facilities and convenient rail freight services, enabling seamless sea-rail intermodal transport. This allows Workington Port to offer customers sustainable door-to-door freight solutions.

09/29/2025 Port Encyclopedia
Read More