US STB Extends Comment Period on Rail Switching Proposal

US STB Extends Comment Period on Rail Switching Proposal

The U.S. Surface Transportation Board (STB) has extended the comment deadline for its “Reciprocal Switching” proposal, which aims to provide poorly served freight rail shippers with the option to access other rail carriers. The new proposal establishes three key performance standards: service reliability, consistency, and local service. It also requires Class I railroads to provide historical data on service metrics. Industry response to the proposal has been mixed, but there's general agreement that it's intended to improve the quality of rail service.

01/19/2026 Logistics
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Rail Pulse Initiative to Modernize North American Freight with GPS

Rail Pulse Initiative to Modernize North American Freight with GPS

The Rail Pulse platform aims to enhance the safety and efficiency of North American rail freight through the use of GPS and telematics technology, driving digital transformation within the industry. By providing real-time location and condition monitoring of railcars, Rail Pulse seeks to improve asset utilization, reduce operational costs, and increase overall supply chain visibility. The platform's data-driven insights will empower railroads, shippers, and other stakeholders to make better-informed decisions and optimize their operations, ultimately modernizing the rail freight ecosystem.

01/20/2026 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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US Rail Freight Rises in Late September Led by Auto and Grain

US Rail Freight Rises in Late September Led by Auto and Grain

The Association of American Railroads reported that for the week ending September 27th, U.S. rail freight and intermodal traffic both experienced year-over-year growth. Significant increases were seen in the transportation of nonmetallic minerals, grain, and motor vehicles & parts. Conversely, coal, petroleum & petroleum products, and metallic ores & metals saw declines. For the first 39 weeks of 2025, both total U.S. rail freight traffic and intermodal volume have shown year-over-year growth, indicating a positive trend in the sector.

01/21/2026 Logistics
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US Rail Intermodal Gains Offset Carload Declines

US Rail Intermodal Gains Offset Carload Declines

According to the Association of American Railroads, the U.S. rail freight market showed a divergence in the week ending October 17th. Container traffic increased by 11.3% year-over-year, while traditional freight declined by 7.5%. E-commerce growth and supply chain restructuring are driving the growth of container business. Meanwhile, energy transition and manufacturing adjustments are causing the decline in traditional freight. Railway companies should increase investment in container business, expand diversified businesses, strengthen technological innovation, and actively participate in policy making.

01/17/2026 Logistics
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US Rail Freight Adapts to Market Shifts and Challenges

US Rail Freight Adapts to Market Shifts and Challenges

This article analyzes the current state and future of the US rail freight market under the COVID-19 pandemic, based on an interview with Ian Jefferies, President and CEO of the Association of American Railroads (AAR). It elaborates on the challenges and opportunities facing rail freight, discusses the impact of the policy environment on the rail industry, and envisions the transformation and development direction of rail freight. Rail freight plays a crucial role in economic recovery, supply chain security, and environmental protection.

01/21/2026 Logistics Industry Insights
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Shortform Video Drives Crossborder Ecommerce Growth

Shortform Video Drives Crossborder Ecommerce Growth

Short videos have emerged as a new growth driver for cross-border e-commerce. This analysis explores the rise of short videos and their disruptive impact on business models, highlighting the marketing value of TikTok. It provides cross-border sellers with strategies to capitalize on the short video trend, including content creation and localized operations. The aim is to help sellers stand out in the fiercely competitive market by leveraging the power of short-form video content and effectively engaging with target audiences on platforms like TikTok.

12/31/2025 Logistics Industry Insights
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Tiktok Trends Drive Amazon Bestseller Discoveries

Tiktok Trends Drive Amazon Bestseller Discoveries

This paper delves into leveraging short video platforms like TikTok for Amazon product selection. By analyzing the advantages, core steps, and successful cases of short video platforms, it reveals the underlying logic and operational methods of short video product selection strategies. The aim is to help cross-border e-commerce sellers more effectively discover potential bestsellers and increase store traffic and profits. It provides practical insights into using short-form video content to identify trending products and understand consumer preferences, ultimately leading to improved product sourcing and marketing decisions.

01/05/2026 Logistics Industry Insights
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Stbs New Rules Aim to Ease Rail Freight Rate Disputes

Stbs New Rules Aim to Ease Rail Freight Rate Disputes

The US Surface Transportation Board (STB) has introduced two new rules to streamline railway freight rate dispute resolution, including a voluntary arbitration program and Final Offer Rate Review (FORR). However, the Association of American Railroads (AAR) strongly opposes these rules, citing “fatal flaws” in FORR and arguing the arbitration rules are “backwards.” Whether these new regulations will bring relief to shippers remains challenging, and shippers need to carefully assess the implications. The future impact of these regulations is uncertain amidst ongoing debate and potential legal challenges.

01/16/2026 Logistics
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US Rail Freight Rebounds Amid Mixed Growth Trends

US Rail Freight Rebounds Amid Mixed Growth Trends

Data from the Association of American Railroads shows US rail freight and intermodal volume increased year-over-year in March, partially due to a low base in the same period last year. Performance varied across segments, with intermodal showing strong growth. Looking ahead, challenges include the pandemic, supply chain bottlenecks, and industry restructuring. Opportunities arise from infrastructure investment, intermodal development, and technological innovation. Railroad companies need to respond proactively, and shippers should optimize their logistics strategies. The future of rail freight is intertwined with these evolving dynamics.

01/19/2026 Logistics
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