US Rail Freight and Intermodal Volumes Increase Despite Economic Challenges

US Rail Freight and Intermodal Volumes Increase Despite Economic Challenges

According to the Association of American Railroads, U.S. rail freight and intermodal volume increased year-over-year for the week ending March 20, but growth slowed. Freight volume performance varied across commodities, while intermodal was constrained by port congestion. Cumulative data presents a mixed picture, and the full-year trend remains to be seen. The rail transport industry faces challenges such as aging infrastructure and labor shortages, but also opportunities from economic recovery and environmental policies. Overall performance needs further observation.

01/19/2026 Logistics
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US Freight Industry Struggles With Extreme Weather Resilience

US Freight Industry Struggles With Extreme Weather Resilience

Extreme weather significantly impacts US freight logistics, causing delays, increased costs, and supply chain disruptions. Businesses are responding with strategies such as communication, route adjustments, resource optimization, and technology adoption. The retail sector, affected by demand surges and capacity constraints, needs to prepare in advance and adjust flexibly. Future resilience requires strengthening infrastructure, developing intermodal transportation, promoting green logistics, and fostering international cooperation. These measures will help mitigate the impact of extreme weather on the freight logistics and supply chain.

01/19/2026 Logistics
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Europe Shipping Costs Surge Squeezing Business Profits

Europe Shipping Costs Surge Squeezing Business Profits

European sea freight prices are continuously climbing, impacting businesses with rising costs, supply chain disruptions, and trade decline. Companies should adopt strategies like diversifying transportation methods, securing long-term contracts to lock in freight rates, and proactive planning. Governments should also strengthen infrastructure construction and invest in green shipping technologies to jointly maintain shipping market stability and help businesses overcome these challenges. The rising costs pose a significant threat, necessitating collaborative action from both businesses and governments to mitigate the negative consequences.

01/26/2026 Logistics Industry Insights
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US Highway Bill Stalled by Political Gridlock Pandemic Concerns

US Highway Bill Stalled by Political Gridlock Pandemic Concerns

The US highway bill faces potential gridlock due to bipartisan disagreements, raising concerns in the freight industry about hindering infrastructure modernization. The pandemic's impact, including changing commuting patterns and declining gasoline tax revenues, has placed significant financial strain on state transportation departments. The bill's ultimate fate hinges on the election results and control of the Senate, potentially leading to major adjustments in future infrastructure investment directions. The outcome will have a significant impact on the nation's transportation network and economic growth.

01/26/2026 Logistics Industry Insights
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US Rail Freight Crisis Speed Not Capacity Key to Relief

US Rail Freight Crisis Speed Not Capacity Key to Relief

US rail freight faces bottlenecks, seemingly due to insufficient vehicles, but fundamentally caused by lagging network speed. This article analyzes rail transportation efficiency, emphasizing the importance of improving network speed and optimizing operational processes. It proposes strategies including infrastructure upgrades, technological innovation applications, and process re-engineering, aiming to enhance the efficiency and resilience of rail transportation to meet increasing demand. Addressing network speed limitations is crucial for unlocking the full potential of rail freight and ensuring its competitiveness in the modern transportation landscape.

01/21/2026 Logistics Industry Insights
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North American Rail Freight Weathers Challenges Amid Resilience

North American Rail Freight Weathers Challenges Amid Resilience

US rail freight and intermodal volumes have recently declined year-over-year, but overall resilience remains. While rail freight has seen a slight decrease, certain commodity categories have experienced growth. Intermodal transportation faces greater challenges. Significant regional differences exist within the North American rail transportation market. Railroad companies need to embrace change through technological innovation, infrastructure upgrades, and intermodal integration to meet challenges, seize opportunities, and achieve sustainable development. The industry's ability to adapt will be crucial for long-term success in a dynamic economic landscape.

01/20/2026 Logistics
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US Rail Freight Rebounds Amid Mixed Growth Trends

US Rail Freight Rebounds Amid Mixed Growth Trends

Data from the Association of American Railroads shows US rail freight and intermodal volume increased year-over-year in March, partially due to a low base in the same period last year. Performance varied across segments, with intermodal showing strong growth. Looking ahead, challenges include the pandemic, supply chain bottlenecks, and industry restructuring. Opportunities arise from infrastructure investment, intermodal development, and technological innovation. Railroad companies need to respond proactively, and shippers should optimize their logistics strategies. The future of rail freight is intertwined with these evolving dynamics.

01/19/2026 Logistics
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Dachser Deploys Hydrogen Trucks for Zeroemission Logistics in Europe

Dachser Deploys Hydrogen Trucks for Zeroemission Logistics in Europe

Dachser is actively deploying hydrogen fuel cell heavy-duty trucks, aiming to build a zero-emission logistics network in Europe. This initiative offers valuable lessons for the transformation of China's road freight. China needs to expand the scale of hydrogen fuel cell trucks, improve hydrogen refueling infrastructure, and increase R&D in hydrogen energy technology to achieve its green freight goals. This includes promoting technological innovation and supporting policy frameworks to facilitate the widespread adoption of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles in the logistics sector.

01/26/2026 Logistics Industry Insights
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Livingston Port The Rise and Challenges of a Caribbean Transport Hub

Livingston Port The Rise and Challenges of a Caribbean Transport Hub

Livingston Port, situated in eastern Guatemala, is a vital access point to the Caribbean, renowned for its rich culture and growing tourism industry. However, the challenges posed by inadequate transportation infrastructure and high costs make it crucial to strike a balance between enhancing visitor experience and improving freight efficiency for future development.

07/24/2025 Port Encyclopedia
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Port Bottlenecks Delay Oversized Cargo Shipments

Port Bottlenecks Delay Oversized Cargo Shipments

Freight forwarder user zoe333 reports difficulties for OT container trucks queuing to enter the port, citing delayed port information. Industry experts suggest potential causes include port operational bottlenecks, information transmission issues, and port congestion. Recommendations include strengthening communication and coordination, considering alternative ports or transportation methods, and enhancing port information infrastructure development.

08/22/2025 Logistics Encyclopedia
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