US Rail Freight Volumes Drop Sharply in Midjuly

US Rail Freight Volumes Drop Sharply in Midjuly

Data from the Association of American Railroads indicates a year-over-year decrease in U.S. rail freight and intermodal volume for the week ending July 16th. Among commodity segments, nonmetallic minerals, farm products, and motor vehicle parts & equipment saw growth, while coal, miscellaneous carloads, and grain declined. Year-to-date figures also reflect this downward trend. The analysis points to factors such as economic slowdown, supply chain disruptions, and competition from trucking. Strategies for improvement include enhancing operational efficiency and expanding service offerings.

02/11/2026 Logistics
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North American Rail Freight Slows Amid Economic Uncertainty

North American Rail Freight Slows Amid Economic Uncertainty

Data from the Association of American Railroads reveals a year-over-year decrease in U.S. rail freight and intermodal traffic for the week ending February 4th. While carloads of motor vehicles & parts and petroleum increased, coal, grain, and chemicals declined. Overall North American freight volume experienced a slight dip. Factors like economic cycles, supply chain issues, and the energy transition are impacting freight volumes. Companies need strategies such as service diversification, technological innovation, and network optimization to adapt to these evolving market trends.

01/20/2026 Logistics
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North American Rail Freight Gains Mask Container Volume Drop

North American Rail Freight Gains Mask Container Volume Drop

Data from the Association of American Railroads reveals a mixed performance in the U.S. rail freight market for the week ending November 8th. Carload traffic saw a slight increase of 0.1%, driven by nonmetallic minerals and grain. However, intermodal traffic (containers and trailers) declined by 8.7% year-over-year, potentially indicating weaker consumer demand. Despite this, cumulative freight volume for the first 45 weeks of 2025 remains positive. The impact of global economic uncertainties on future performance warrants close monitoring.

02/04/2026 Logistics
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US Rail Freight Volumes Drop Amid Economic Slowdown

US Rail Freight Volumes Drop Amid Economic Slowdown

Recent data indicates challenges in the US rail freight market, with year-over-year declines in both carload and intermodal volumes. Despite increased shipments of certain commodities, the overall situation is not optimistic. North American market data shows slight improvement, but attention must be paid to macroeconomic factors, trade environment, and supply chain influences. Companies should proactively embrace change, optimize operations, and expand their businesses to prepare for market recovery. The key is to adapt and innovate in the face of current headwinds.

02/04/2026 Logistics
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US Rail Freight Decline Reflects Trade Logistics Risks

US Rail Freight Decline Reflects Trade Logistics Risks

US rail freight and intermodal volumes declined year-over-year in January, influenced by manufacturing weakness and trade uncertainty. While growth in some commodity categories offered hope, significant declines in coal and grain shipments were the primary drivers. Businesses should diversify supply chains, optimize inventory, strengthen risk assessments, embrace digitalization, and monitor policy changes to navigate challenges and seize opportunities. The decrease highlights the importance of proactive risk management and strategic adaptation in the face of evolving economic conditions and global trade dynamics.

01/29/2026 Logistics
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Freight Market Rebounds Eyes Strong Yearend Growth

Freight Market Rebounds Eyes Strong Yearend Growth

The freight market is showing signs of recovery, driven by rebounding capacity, increased consumer spending, and strong import data. Trucking and intermodal data both indicate positive trends, while rail transport is benefiting from renewed consumer demand for durable goods. While uncertainties remain in the market, the overall trend is positive and promising. The recovery is supported by a combination of factors suggesting a gradual return to pre-downturn levels of activity and a potential for continued growth in the near future.

01/30/2026 Logistics Industry Insights
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Global Trade Relies on Intermodal Container Shipping

Global Trade Relies on Intermodal Container Shipping

This article outlines the specifications, selection, loading, and ocean freight process of containers in cross-border logistics. It covers key aspects of containerized shipping and provides an overview of the entire process. Furthermore, it looks forward to future development trends focusing on digitalization, green practices, and intelligent automation within the industry. The abstract aims to provide a concise summary of the article's content and scope, emphasizing its relevance to the field of international trade and transportation.

01/08/2026 Logistics Encyclopedia
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Experts Analyze Trends in Intermodal Transportations Future

Experts Analyze Trends in Intermodal Transportations Future

The Logistics Management podcast interviews multimodal transportation expert Larry Gross, delving into the challenges and opportunities facing the current multimodal market. Discussions include the impact of economic conditions, service quality bottlenecks, peak season performance evaluation, and the influence of railroad company collaborations. The content covers industry trend insights, problem analysis, and future prospects, providing valuable reference for logistics professionals. This episode offers a comprehensive overview of the current state and potential future of multimodal transportation, highlighting key factors impacting its success and areas for improvement.

02/11/2026 Logistics Industry Insights
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Intermodal Transport Faces Postpandemic Congestion Capacity Crunch

Intermodal Transport Faces Postpandemic Congestion Capacity Crunch

Larry Gross highlighted the challenges facing multimodal transportation at the RailTrends conference, including congestion and capacity shortages, leading to market share decline. He emphasized the need to reshape the supply chain, focusing on resilience and capacity. Gross also predicted a future shift in freight volume from west to east. He urged the industry to avoid repeating past mistakes and capitalize on emerging opportunities. The presentation underscores the critical need for innovation and strategic planning within the multimodal sector to navigate current and future supply chain disruptions.

01/21/2026 Logistics Industry Insights
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Trade Uncertainty Boosts North American Intermodal Growth

Trade Uncertainty Boosts North American Intermodal Growth

Multimodal transportation expert Larry Gross points out that international freight is experiencing a reduced impact from tariffs, while the domestic freight market appears relatively optimistic. He believes domestic multimodal transport is key to future growth, requiring a breakthrough of the "donut effect" to increase its share in the medium and long-haul transportation market. Simultaneously, attention should be paid to external factors such as global shipping routes, trucking capacity, and driver availability to seize future opportunities.

02/04/2026 Logistics Industry Insights
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