U.S. rail freight and intermodal traffic both decreased year-over-year in the first week of March. While carloads of coal, petroleum, and motor vehicles increased, commodities like grain experienced declines. Overall, North American rail freight volume also saw a downturn. These figures are often viewed as economic indicators, reflecting the health and activity of various industries and supply chains.
In November 2025, US rail freight saw carload traffic increase by 4.3%, while intermodal traffic declined by 6.5%. Commodities like coal experienced growth, while miscellaneous carloads decreased. Year-to-date figures still show overall growth. The rail freight industry faces both challenges and opportunities, as reflected in these economic indicators and the performance of intermodal and traditional rail freight sectors.
By the end of June 2024, a total of 3,286 internet freight companies in the country uploaded 80.877 million waybills, representing a year-on-year increase of 52.8%. The top three provinces in waybill upload volume are Anhui, Tianjin, and Jiangsu. Compliance assessments indicate that Henan, Hubei, and Shandong performed well, while some provinces and cities still showed deficiencies in data reporting.
The Zhengzhou Europe Railway Express successfully completed its first imported grain shipment, marking the successful testing of Zhengzhou's designated port for imported grain. A total of 136 tons of wheat were imported from Kazakhstan, showcasing efficient international logistics capabilities. With more batches of grain set for import, Zhengzhou provides significant support for international trade under the Belt and Road Initiative.
Pepel Port, located on Pepel Island in Sierra Leone, is a significant ore transportation hub situated 24 kilometers from Freetown. The deep-water channel of the port can accommodate large ore ships, and it is supported by a dedicated railway network that connects to the mining areas, creating an efficient logistics network.
Huntingburg Airport, located in Indiana, is a significant non-customs freight airport that offers low-cost, efficient services and has continuously supported local economic development since its inception. With the airport code HNB, its convenient customs clearance services greatly benefit small and medium-sized enterprises.
This article summarizes four main transportation modes—maritime, road, air, and rail—highlighting their respective advantages and disadvantages to assist businesses in making optimal choices in a constantly changing global logistics environment. By flexibly utilizing different modes, companies can not only optimize costs and delivery times but also enhance operational efficiency and customer satisfaction.
Recently, the Ministry of Transport announced adjustments to the macro-control policy for the transportation market of bulk liquid hazardous goods in coastal provincial routes. The new policy emphasizes principles of openness and fairness, aiming to optimize market entry and improve transportation efficiency through overall control and selection mechanisms, thereby promoting sustainable development in the industry.
Mobile Port, located in southern Alabama, USA, is an important shipping hub. The port features 34 deep-water berths dedicated to the import and export of various goods, including coal, steel, and grains. Managed by the Alabama Port Authority, its advantageous location and facilities contribute to regional economic development. In the future, the port will continue to invest in enhancing its international trade capacity.
According to the Association of American Railroads, for the week ending August 23rd, U.S. rail carloads increased by 0.6% year-over-year, while intermodal traffic decreased by 1.9%. Grain and automotive shipments showed strong performance, while oil and coal shipments declined. Year-to-date figures still indicate solid growth. Railroad companies need to improve efficiency, invest in infrastructure, expand services, and focus on sustainable development.
