RAIL VOLUMES

Rail intermodal volumes stabilize in September

September was the highest month in 2023 for U.S. intermodal traffic, finding support in the peak season, according to the Association of American Railroads.

U.S. freight railroads originated 1 million containers and trailers in September, a 0.7% increase from September 2022. Year-over-year (y/y) comparisons so far this year have had intermodal volumes trailing year-ago levels.

“Intermodal had the best volume month of the year in September, showing, after three years, that ‘peak season’ still...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/rail-intermodal-volumes-stabilize-in-september

APM Terminals Mobile announces $60M rail expansion plan

APM Terminals Mobile has begun a $60 million rail expansion project that “doubles capacity for customers” at the Port of Mobile, Alabama.

The terminal is adding 12,000 feet of tracks, as well as additional rail yard storage space and container capacity. The project will also improve access to the Port of Mobile. 

Leo Huisman, head of APM Terminals Americas, said the aim of the project is to provide faster rail loading and departure options for shippers and 3PLs in the Midwest and Southeast parts...

US freight rail traffic slips nearly 3% in 2022

U.S. rail traffic in 2022 was generally lower than 2021 levels amid concerns about an economic recession and subpar rail service.

The U.S. operations of freight railroads handled about 25.4 million carloads and intermodal units in 2022, down 2.8% from 2021, according to data from the Association of American Railroads. Of that, U.S. carload traffic was flat to lower, slipping 0.3% to nearly 12 million carloads, while intermodal volumes fell 4.9% to about 13.4 million containers and trailers. The...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/us-freight-rail-traffic-slips-nearly-3-in-2022

September’s rail volumes reflect mixed signals of broader market

Are September rail volumes an indicator of wider economic factors like an economic slowdown or not? That’s a question observers might ask as they look at this past month’s railroad traffic.

U.S. rail volumes for September totaled 1.94 million carloads and intermodal units, a 3.1% decline from the same month in 2021, according to the Association of American Railroads. Of that, U.S. carloads totaled 928,590, down 1.1% year over year (y/y), intermodal units – containers and trailers — totaled 1.01...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/septembers-rail-volumes-reflect-mixed-signals-of-broader-market

Some Class I railroads optimistic about volume growth, hiring initiatives

U.S. Class I railroads remain optimistic that hiring initiatives and operational changes should bring about improved service for the remainder of the year and into 2023, according to top executives’ remarks at a recent investor conference.

“We’re in pretty smooth sailing for the rest of the fall, and I expect continuous improvement in terms of increasing car velocity, improved utilization of crews and improved car-per-carload metrics,” said Union Pacific (NYSE: UNP) President and CEO Lance Fritz...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/some-class-i-railroads-optimistic-about-volume-growth-hiring-initiatives

GSCW chat: How the rails might benefit from growing industrial production

FIRESIDE CHAT TOPIC: What rail and truckload data reveal about industrial supply chains.

DETAILS: Industrial production is forecast to grow in the coming years, which will likely lead to higher rail carload volume. It could also lead to congestion and equipment availability issues. In this fireside chat, Harris Ligon, CEO and co-founder of a stealth transportation technology startup, and Mike Baudendistel, a FreightWaves market expert, discuss the outlook for industrial freight on the rails...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/gscw-chat-how-the-rails-might-benefit-from-growing-industrial-production

Rail Roundup: Leadership transitions, US rail traffic dips in January

Union Pacific names Beth Whited as EVP of sustainability and strategy

Union Pacific has named Beth Whited as executive vice president of sustainability and strategy, effective immediately.

This new role for Whited — she has served as EVP and chief human resources officer for UP since 2018 and will continue to lead that division — comes as UP (NYSE: UNP) is seeking to reach a goal of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. The railroad just announced plans to purchase 20 battery-electric locomotives as...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/rail-roundup-leadership-transitions-us-rail-traffic-dips-in-january

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