Blame it on soaring fuel prices, broader commodity prices or an unending flow of harsh weather. For whatever reasons, this spring has seen the freight recovery stall. Major U.S. freight railroads had their best week so far this year at the end of March. That’s actual freight volume measured each week in carloads and intermodal units, instead of year-over-year comparisons. Although intermodal appears to be picking up again — the container side of that business reached the high point of the year in mid-May — it lost about seven weeks of gains. Even worse, carload shipments of bulk commodities...

Blame it on soaring fuel prices, broader commodity prices or an unending flow of harsh weather. For whatever reasons, this spring has seen the freight recovery stall.

Rail

Recovery Stalled on Tracks?

Inland23: US-Mexico trucking costs rising with cross-border demand

Inland23: Railroads vow service will remain strong when volume rebounds

California drayage operators seek help meeting zero-emission regulations 

Inland23: Mexico-to-Southeast intermodal service due to launch in late ‘24

SC Ports turns to US Supreme Court in bid for relief over Leatherman dispute

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Cross-border trade with Mexico is one of the few hot spots in trucking, but fuel prices and other costs are putting more pressure on rates.

North American Class I railroads understand why shippers and logistics providers are skeptical about intermodal service, but they believe disruptions experienced in recent years won’t happen again.

Drayage companies in the state say existing incentive programs will not be enough to enable them to meet regulations that mandate a zero-emission drayage fleet by 2035.

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The Journal of Commerce’s analysis and coverage of North American and global rail news encompasses Class I railroad, intermodal marketing providers, and supporting drayage and truckload services. Reporting on freight railroad news today, journalists track volume, intermodal freight rates, service levels, precision schedule railroading, transloading, regulation, union labor and network investment at domestic and international intermodal terminals.

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Inland23: US-Mexico trucking costs rising with cross-border demand

Inland23: Railroads vow service will remain strong when volume rebounds

California drayage operators seek help meeting zero-emission regulations