US Rail Freight Rises in Carloads Dips in Intermodal

US Rail Freight Rises in Carloads Dips in Intermodal

According to the Association of American Railroads, U.S. rail carloads increased by 0.6% for the week ending August 23rd, with grain and automotive shipments performing strongly. However, intermodal traffic decreased by 1.9% year-over-year, potentially indicating a cooling consumer demand. Year-to-date figures still show overall growth in rail freight demand. Looking ahead, rail freight faces challenges such as economic recession risks and labor shortages, but also opportunities including infrastructure investment and sustainable development initiatives. Overall, the sector presents a mixed picture of present growth and future uncertainty.

02/04/2026 Logistics
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US Rail Freight Growth Mixed in November YTD Up

US Rail Freight Growth Mixed in November YTD Up

Data from the Association of American Railroads shows that for the week ending November 1st, U.S. rail freight and intermodal traffic decreased year-over-year, but cumulative volumes for the year remain positive. Increased shipments of grain and metallic ores were observed, while coal and motor vehicle shipments declined, reflecting economic restructuring and changing market demands. Railroad companies need to pay attention to these structural shifts and proactively address the challenges they present. This data provides insights into the current economic landscape and the evolving role of rail freight.

02/04/2026 Logistics
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US Rail Freight Shows Early 2025 Growth Amid Challenges

US Rail Freight Shows Early 2025 Growth Amid Challenges

The Association of American Railroads reported a year-over-year decrease in U.S. rail freight and intermodal traffic for the week ending September 20th, but year-to-date volumes remain up. Coal carloads experienced the largest decline, while grain and metallic ores saw increases. Railroad operators need to improve operational efficiency, expand service offerings, and focus on sustainability to address challenges and capitalize on opportunities in the evolving freight landscape. The report highlights the ongoing shifts and pressures within the rail freight sector and its broader impact on the supply chain.

02/04/2026 Logistics
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US Rail Freight Slump Signals Economic Worries

US Rail Freight Slump Signals Economic Worries

Data from the Association of American Railroads shows that for the week ending May 21st, both U.S. rail freight volume and intermodal traffic decreased year-over-year. Among specific categories, coal and petroleum shipments saw significant declines, with only a few categories like miscellaneous carloads experiencing growth. Cumulative data for the first 20 weeks of the year also indicates a substantial decrease in freight volume. As a leading economic indicator, this decline in rail freight volume suggests potential risks to the U.S. economy, requiring close monitoring and proactive measures.

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

US Rail Freight Decline Points to Economic Slowdown

Data from the Association of American Railroads shows that for the week ending August 26th, U.S. rail carloads and intermodal units both declined year-over-year. Carload traffic increased for motor vehicles & parts, petroleum products, and nonmetallic minerals, but decreased significantly for coal and grain. Cumulative data for the first 34 weeks of the year indicates a slight increase in carloads, but a notable decrease in intermodal volume. The decline in rail freight suggests a potential economic slowdown, requiring businesses to adapt and be flexible in their supply chain management.

02/11/2026 Logistics
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Xiaohongshu Trials Paid Content Promotion for Brands

Xiaohongshu Trials Paid Content Promotion for Brands

Xiaohongshu's Dandelion platform is internally testing a "Content Boosting" feature, providing brands and agencies with a new traffic entry point to increase exposure and engagement of filed notes. Compared to Potato Chips (Xiaohongshu's paid promotion tool), Content Boosting has a shorter material cycle, does not support audience targeting, and has a spending cap. It is more suitable for boosting and discovering high-quality notes, and can be linked with performance ads for better promotion results. Brands are advised to pay attention and experience it as soon as possible. It is a new way to increase organic reach and drive engagement.

01/04/2026 Logistics Industry Insights
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Tiktok Shop Shifts to Managed Model in Crossborder Ecommerce

Tiktok Shop Shifts to Managed Model in Crossborder Ecommerce

TikTok e-commerce is reportedly launching a "fully managed" model, where merchants only supply goods and the platform handles operations. This aims to shorten the sales process and improve efficiency, with plans to fully open the Shop function in the US this year. The fully managed model is becoming an industry trend, testing the platform's product selection and operational capabilities, while also bringing opportunities and challenges to merchants. TikTok e-commerce is accelerating its transformation, and the combination of its massive traffic and the fully managed model may reshape the landscape of cross-border e-commerce.

12/30/2025 Logistics Industry Insights
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Robinvale Airport Gains Strategic Importance in Australia

Robinvale Airport Gains Strategic Importance in Australia

Robinvale Airport (RBC) is located in the Australian outback, featuring two runways and providing multi-frequency communication services. Although it lacks METAR data, the airport plays a vital role in local economic and transportation development. Its existence not only facilitates small flights but also enhances the connection between the community and the economy.

08/08/2025 Airport Codes
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