US Rail Freight Carloads Rise Intermodal Declines

US Rail Freight Carloads Rise Intermodal Declines

US rail freight performance in August showed mixed results. Carload traffic increased by 3.4%, while intermodal traffic decreased by 0.3%. Year-to-date carload traffic saw a slight increase, but intermodal traffic declined. The industry is facing a period of transition and adjustment. The diverging trends highlight the changing dynamics within the freight sector and potentially reflect broader economic shifts impacting different transportation modes. Continued monitoring of these indicators is crucial for understanding the overall health and future direction of the rail freight industry.

02/11/2026 Logistics
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US Rail Freight Volumes Drop Amid Economic Slowdown

US Rail Freight Volumes Drop Amid Economic Slowdown

Data from the Association of American Railroads indicates a year-over-year decrease in U.S. rail freight and intermodal volumes in late August. While automotive and petroleum product demand remained strong, coal and grain shipments faced headwinds. Year-to-date figures present a mixed picture, with intermodal continuing to show weakness. Factors such as economic slowdown, supply chain challenges, and energy transition are impacting freight volumes. Railroads need to enhance efficiency, expand services, strengthen customer relationships, and embrace digitalization and sustainability to navigate these challenges.

02/11/2026 Logistics
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US Rail Freight Declines As Intermodal Gains Traction

US Rail Freight Declines As Intermodal Gains Traction

Recent data reveals a mixed picture for the US rail freight market. While sectors like petroleum and automotive are experiencing robust growth, traditional commodities like coal and grain are seeing declining volumes. Year-to-date figures show a slight overall increase in freight volume, but a decrease in intermodal transportation. Rail freight faces challenges from energy transition and supply chain restructuring, requiring proactive adaptation to market shifts. The industry must innovate to maintain competitiveness and capitalize on emerging opportunities despite headwinds in certain sectors.

02/11/2026 Logistics
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G7 Experts Outline Postquantum Crypto Roadmap for Finance Sector

G7 Experts Outline Postquantum Crypto Roadmap for Finance Sector

The G7 Cyber Expert Group has released a roadmap to coordinate the financial sector's transition to Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC), addressing security threats posed by quantum computing. The roadmap proposes phased action recommendations, including risk assessment, strategy development, testing and validation, and information sharing. It emphasizes the importance of international cooperation to build a quantum-safe financial future. This initiative aims to proactively mitigate vulnerabilities and ensure the resilience of financial systems against potential quantum attacks, fostering a secure and stable global financial landscape.

01/26/2026 International Settlement
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Central Asias Energy Shift Highlighted at POWEREXPO Almaty 2026

Central Asias Energy Shift Highlighted at POWEREXPO Almaty 2026

POWEREXPO ALMATY 2026, the Kazakhstan International Power, Energy and Lighting Exhibition, is a key industry event in Central Asia, offering companies an excellent opportunity to expand into the Central Asian market. The exhibition focuses on traditional energy upgrades, new energy technologies, energy storage, and smart grids. Through high-end resource matching, specialized exhibition areas, and innovative experiences, it helps companies seize the market opportunities brought about by Kazakhstan's energy transition. It's a prime platform for showcasing innovations and forging valuable partnerships within the region's evolving energy landscape.

01/27/2026 Logistics Industry Insights
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Aviation Industry Partners with Ambrian for Netzero Fuel Push

Aviation Industry Partners with Ambrian for Netzero Fuel Push

IATA's 'Fly Net Zero' initiative and Ambrian Energy GmbH are supporting the aviation industry's decarbonization efforts. Data analysis is driving decision-making, accelerating the transition to sustainable development. This collaborative approach aims to reduce the industry's carbon footprint and achieve net-zero emissions by leveraging innovative technologies and strategic planning. The focus is on promoting sustainable aviation fuels and implementing effective strategies aligned with IATA's goals for a greener future for air travel. This partnership highlights the importance of data-driven insights in achieving ambitious environmental targets.

01/27/2026 Airlines
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Small Businesses Eye Chinas 8 Trillion Market Potential

Small Businesses Eye Chinas 8 Trillion Market Potential

Facing growth bottlenecks, SMEs often struggle with the perceived limitations of market size. This paper proposes redefining market boundaries by focusing on user needs rather than traditional product categories. The "Hidden Champions Program" empowers high-potential companies with annual revenues of 100-300 million RMB to break free from limiting mindsets and transition from regional leaders to global players. This approach helps unlock broader growth opportunities for the Chinese economy by enabling companies to identify and capitalize on untapped potential within redefined market landscapes.

01/28/2026 Logistics Industry Insights
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Datadriven Inventory Management Could Unlock 15T in Supply Chains

Datadriven Inventory Management Could Unlock 15T in Supply Chains

This paper explores how data analytics techniques can be used to unlock the hidden $1.5 trillion inventory value within supply chains. By establishing real-time data streams, integrating multi-channel data, applying advanced analytics, and optimizing inventory strategies, businesses can transition from 'visible' to 'controllable' inventory management. This transformation enhances efficiency, reduces waste, and ultimately unlocks significant value. The focus is on leveraging data-driven insights to improve decision-making and create a more responsive and optimized supply chain for better inventory control and cost reduction.

01/29/2026 Logistics Industry Insights
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US Rail Freight Volumes Drop Amid Economic Slowdown

US Rail Freight Volumes Drop Amid Economic Slowdown

The Association of American Railroads reported a significant year-over-year decrease in U.S. rail freight and intermodal traffic for the week ending September 12th. This decline was influenced by Labor Day and substantial drops in carloads of metallic ores and petroleum products. Year-to-date figures show a decrease in carload traffic but a slight increase in intermodal volume. Railroad companies should pay close attention to the global economic situation, diversify their business portfolio, improve operational efficiency, and proactively respond to the energy transition.

01/29/2026 Logistics
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China Mandates Thirdparty Verification for 16 Product Categories Under CCC Overhaul

China Mandates Thirdparty Verification for 16 Product Categories Under CCC Overhaul

The State Administration for Market Regulation announced that 16 categories of CCC-certified products will transition from self-declaration to mandatory third-party certification. This aims to strengthen product quality supervision, raise market access standards, protect consumer rights, and promote healthy industry development. Businesses should closely monitor the official catalog, stay informed about the new regulations, and prepare for the certification process. This change emphasizes stricter quality control and independent verification for these product categories, ensuring greater consumer confidence and a more reliable market environment.

01/30/2026 Customs Knowledge
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