North American Rail Freight Faces Challenges Amid Growth Push

North American Rail Freight Faces Challenges Amid Growth Push

Data from the Association of American Railroads show recent year-over-year declines in U.S. rail freight and intermodal volume, but cumulative year-to-date figures demonstrate resilience. Performance varies across segments, with gains in grain and nonmetallic minerals, while miscellaneous carloads, chemicals, and coal declined. Intermodal faces challenges like port congestion, but its long-term outlook remains promising. North American rail companies should actively address these challenges, seize opportunities, accelerate transformation and upgrade, and enhance competitiveness.

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

US Rail Freight Gains in Carloads Dips in Container Volume

Data from the Association of American Railroads shows a significant recent increase in U.S. rail carload traffic, primarily driven by coal and minerals. Container traffic, however, has slightly decreased, potentially due to global supply chain challenges. Year-to-date, overall freight volume remains on a downward trend. North American rail performance generally surpasses that of the U.S., with Mexico experiencing strong growth. The rail freight market faces a mixed landscape of challenges and opportunities moving forward.

02/11/2026 Logistics
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Private LTL Firms Outperform Public Rivals Amid Market Split

Private LTL Firms Outperform Public Rivals Amid Market Split

In 2012, private LTL companies outperformed state-owned enterprises in profitability due to limitations faced by the latter. The market experienced a balance between supply and demand, leading to increased freight rates. Future success requires innovative service offerings. Shippers need to comprehensively evaluate carriers. Data analysis is crucial for optimizing operational efficiency and improving overall performance in the evolving LTL landscape. This will help to gain a competitive advantage and meet the changing needs of customers.

02/11/2026 Logistics Industry Insights
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Manhattan Associates Launches Aidriven Logistics Management System

Manhattan Associates Launches Aidriven Logistics Management System

Manhattan introduces a cloud-native TMS, boasting an 80% improvement in optimization speed. Leveraging machine learning, the system efficiently manages transportation, reduces costs, and enhances competitiveness. This next-generation TMS provides real-time visibility and control across the entire transportation network, enabling businesses to make smarter decisions and improve overall supply chain performance. Its cloud-based architecture ensures scalability and flexibility to adapt to evolving business needs, driving significant value for organizations seeking to optimize their logistics operations.

02/11/2026 Logistics
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US Rail Freight Decline Points to Economic Slowdown

US Rail Freight Decline Points to Economic Slowdown

Recent data from the Association of American Railroads reveals a decline in both U.S. rail freight and intermodal volumes, signaling weakening economic demand. Mixed performance across specific commodity categories highlights shifts in the economic structure. Businesses should closely monitor market dynamics, optimize supply chain management, diversify operations, and embrace digital transformation to navigate these challenges. The decrease in freight volume serves as an indicator of a potential economic slowdown, requiring proactive adaptation from logistics and related industries.

02/11/2026 Logistics
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US Rail Freight Shifts Autos Petroleum Rise As Coal Falls

US Rail Freight Shifts Autos Petroleum Rise As Coal Falls

According to the Association of American Railroads, U.S. rail freight traffic diverged in the week ending May 9th. Traditional freight carloads declined year-over-year, while motor vehicles and petroleum products showed strong performance. Coal continued to face pressure. Intermodal traffic increased year-over-year, but the growth rate slowed. Year-to-date, traditional freight carloads have slightly decreased, while intermodal traffic has grown. Railroad companies need to actively address challenges and seize opportunities to achieve sustainable development.

02/12/2026 Logistics
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Global Airlines Boost Safety with Iatas IOSA Certification

Global Airlines Boost Safety with Iatas IOSA Certification

This IATA IOSA foundational course provides an in-depth understanding of the IOSA audit program, covering document system operations, airline responsibilities, and project option selection. The course aims to improve operational performance, strengthen safety culture, and prepare participants for the IOSA audit. It is suitable for quality, safety, and operations personnel, IOSA coordinators, internal auditors, and quality/safety analysts/specialists. Participants will gain practical knowledge and skills to effectively manage and contribute to a successful IOSA audit process.

01/20/2026 Logistics Encyclopedia
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Regional LTL Carriers Gain Momentum in Economic Recovery

Regional LTL Carriers Gain Momentum in Economic Recovery

Logistics Management magazine announced its Quest for Quality Awards, recognizing four regional Less-than-Truckload (LTL) carriers, including A. Duie Pyle, for their exceptional service. These awards highlight companies demonstrating excellence in key areas such as on-time performance, customer service, and value. The Quest for Quality Awards are highly regarded within the logistics industry, representing a benchmark for quality and customer satisfaction in LTL freight transportation. The winners are chosen based on a comprehensive survey of logistics professionals.

01/20/2026 Logistics Industry Insights
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Spectra Gutter Systems Optimizes Supply Chain Reduces Costs

Spectra Gutter Systems Optimizes Supply Chain Reduces Costs

Spectra partnered with Averitt to optimize import logistics, warehousing, and distribution, addressing growth challenges while reducing costs and improving efficiency. This collaboration streamlined their supply chain, enabling them to handle increased demand and maintain profitability. The optimized logistics solutions provided by Averitt allowed Spectra to focus on core business operations and achieve significant improvements in their overall supply chain performance. The partnership demonstrates a successful approach to overcoming logistical hurdles and achieving sustainable growth through strategic supply chain optimization.

01/20/2026 Logistics Industry Insights
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US Rail Freight Stagnates As Intermodal Declines

US Rail Freight Stagnates As Intermodal Declines

According to the Association of American Railroads, U.S. rail carload traffic was largely flat for the week ending June 28th, while intermodal traffic saw a slight decrease. Performance varied across sectors, with gains in grain and automotive shipments offset by declines in metals and coal. Cumulative data for the first 26 weeks of the year indicates continued growth in overall freight volume. However, the industry faces ongoing challenges related to macroeconomic conditions, industry competition, and infrastructure limitations.

01/20/2026 Logistics
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