US Rail Freight Gains in Carloads but Declines in Intermodal

US Rail Freight Gains in Carloads but Declines in Intermodal

According to the Association of American Railroads (AAR) data, for the week ending August 20th, U.S. rail carloads increased by 2.9% year-over-year, while intermodal traffic decreased by 2.4% year-over-year. Carload growth was driven by commodities such as coal and grain. Supply chain bottlenecks and rising fuel prices constrained intermodal transportation. The North American rail market is progressing steadily and needs to strengthen cooperation to meet challenges.

02/11/2026 Logistics
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Vancouver Port Struggles With Congestion Amid Calls for Rail Upgrades

Vancouver Port Struggles With Congestion Amid Calls for Rail Upgrades

The container congestion issue at the Port of Vancouver is severe. Canadian National Railway (CN) demonstrates strong transportation efficiency, while CPKC faces multiple challenges. Meanwhile, the container throughput at Prince Rupert and Halifax steadily increases, highlighting both the potential and areas for improvement in rail transport. Collaborative efforts across the industry are essential to address these challenges.

08/06/2025 Logistics
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Hamburg Port Braces for Disruption As Key Rail Lines Shut

Hamburg Port Braces for Disruption As Key Rail Lines Shut

The Port Authority of Hamburg, Germany, has announced the closure of several major railway lines in 2025, impacting port transportation efficiency. This shutdown will affect multiple ports and neighboring countries, prompting businesses to plan alternative strategies in advance to address transportation challenges.

08/07/2025 Logistics
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DB Cargo: A Rail Freight Giant Seeking Revival Amid Challenges

DB Cargo: A Rail Freight Giant Seeking Revival Amid Challenges

DB Cargo is facing significant challenges in 2024, planning to lay off 5,000 employees to cope with a challenging market environment and pressure from the EU regarding financial support. The restructuring plan includes splitting into several independent divisions to improve operational efficiency. Despite facing substantial losses, the EU has approved €1.9 billion in state aid, offering hope for the company's transformation.

07/17/2025 Logistics
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High-speed Rail Express: A New Era in Logistics Solutions

High-speed Rail Express: A New Era in Logistics Solutions

The launch of high-speed rail express services has presented new opportunities for the logistics industry. The opening of routes from Shenzhen to Changsha by China Railway Group has not only improved transportation efficiency but also significantly reduced logistics costs. Despite facing challenges in the short term, such as inadequate facilities and transportation limitations, there are broader development prospects ahead. High-speed rail express has injected new vitality into the modern logistics sector, making it a promising aspect to look forward to.

07/21/2025 Logistics
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Canada Faces Rail Strike Threat Trucking Industry May Mitigate Impact

Canada Faces Rail Strike Threat Trucking Industry May Mitigate Impact

Canadian railways are facing a potential shutdown, with the Canadian Trucking Alliance president stating that trucking capacity cannot compensate for the rail transport shortfall. A railway shutdown would severely impact the Canadian supply chain, disrupting cargo transport, causing shortages at distribution centers, and leading to consumer goods shortages. This event highlights the fragility of the supply chain and serves as a warning for businesses to strengthen risk management and build diversified transportation channels. The potential strike underscores the need for resilient supply chain strategies.

01/07/2026 Logistics Industry Insights
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Canadian Pacific Rail Strike Risks Disrupting North American Supply Chains

Canadian Pacific Rail Strike Risks Disrupting North American Supply Chains

A breakdown in negotiations between Canadian Pacific Railway (CP) and the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference (TCRC) has disrupted Canadian rail operations, potentially triggering a North American supply chain crisis. The two sides are deeply divided on issues such as wages, benefits, and working conditions, with each holding firm to their positions. Calls are mounting for a swift resolution to the dispute to prevent further damage to the Canadian economy. The ultimate outcome of this labor dispute will have a profound impact on the supply chain in Canada and across North America.

01/28/2026 Logistics
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US Rail Freight Growth Uneven As Carloads Rise Intermodal Falls

US Rail Freight Growth Uneven As Carloads Rise Intermodal Falls

The latest US rail freight data reveals a year-over-year increase in carload traffic, driven by strong demand for nonmetallic minerals, coal, and motor vehicle parts. However, intermodal container and trailer volumes declined year-over-year, reflecting easing supply chain bottlenecks and cooling consumer demand. Overall North American rail freight volumes show a similar diverging trend. Moving forward, railway companies need to improve operational efficiency and expand their business areas to address challenges and seize opportunities.

01/28/2026 Logistics
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US Rail Freight Sees Mixed Trends Carloads Rise Containers Fall

US Rail Freight Sees Mixed Trends Carloads Rise Containers Fall

Data from the Association of American Railroads shows a divergence in US rail freight volume in late January. Carload traffic increased by 3.3% year-over-year, driven by nonmetallic minerals, coal, and automotive industries. However, container transport decreased by 6.7% year-over-year, potentially due to shifts in consumer spending and supply chain adjustments. Overall freight volume in North America exhibited a similar trend. The increase in carload was enough to offset the container decrease, showing resilience in certain sectors of the rail freight market.

01/28/2026 Logistics
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