Why the intermodal market is in a ‘long peak’ right now
Intermodal volumes are robust, even past peak retail season. What does it mean for 2025?
Railroads continue to play a significant role in North America’s economic infrastructure. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Railroad Administration, the U.S. rail freight network covers almost 140,000 route miles and is generally considered the largest, safest, and most cost-efficient freight system in the world. In addition, says the FRA, the almost $80 billion rail freight industry creates more than 167,000 jobs across the country.
In essence, rail freight companies charge businesses to carry cargo across their network of rails. Their rates are overseen by the Surface Transportation Board, a federal agency that regulates financial aspects of surface transportation. Major railroads in North America include Union Pacific Railroad, BNSF Railway, CSX, Norfolk Southern, Canadian Pacific Kansas City and Canadian National Railway.
Keep up with the latest news, trends and reports concerning rail freight transport here!
Intermodal volumes are robust, even past peak retail season. What does it mean for 2025?
Intermodal continues to pace weekly U.S. rail traffic while carloads edged downward, according to the Association of American Railroads.
A newly completed CPKC rail bridge linking the U.S. and Mexico is expected to double capacity for cross-border trade.
Direct ChassisLink Inc. announced it’s adding GPS tracking to its entire fleet of 53-foot domestic chassis.
Continuing consumer demand and frontloading by importers in November helped the Port of Los Angeles to double-digit gains in container volumes.
To honor fallen veterans during the holidays, a number of companies regularly partner with Wreaths Across America to deliver wreaths for placement on headstones. Among them are BNSF Railway and J.B. Hunt Transport Services. Wreaths Across America has a mission to “Remember, Honor, and Teach,” and every year since 2007 the organization has coordinated wreath-laying […]
Teamsters Canada leaders want federal officials to stay out of contract negotiations and back rail workers’ right to strike.
CPKC and cold chain logistics specialist Americold will expand their strategic collaboration to co-development projects in Mexico.
U.S. rail traffic is back on track after November swings, with intermodal gains outpacing weaker carloads.
Resilient consumer spending and a healthy jobs market underpinned record intermodal volumes through November, a new report finds, as the U.S. economy enjoys stable footing approaching 2025.
Bureau of Labor Statistics data on truck transportation jobs showed one of the bigger gains in a long time in November.
Class I freight railroad CSX has appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court to continue its antitrust lawsuit against Norfolk Southern.
The Thanksgiving holiday once again made for a big change in U.S. weekly rail traffic. This time, that change was negative.
U.S. Supreme Court Justice Neil Gorsuch has recused himself from the pending case involving the Uinta Basin Railway, which is set to be argued before the court next week.
Canadian Pacific Kansas City CEO Keith Creel is confident that free trade will continue in North America despite President-elect Donald J. Trump’s threat to impose 25% tariffs on goods imported from Mexico and Canada.
Radiant Logistics has acquired intermodal marketing company TCB Transportation.
Intermodal continued to outpace carloads, according to the latest data from the Association of American Railroads.
Port of LA-Long Beach short line Pacific Harbor Line has won partial federal funding toward the purchase of zero-emission locomotives.
President-elect Donald Trump’s plans to impose 25% tariffs on goods imported from Mexico and Canada could have a chilling impact on cross-border rail traffic, which has been one of the few sources of volume growth for North American Class I railroads.
Short line and regional railroads are polishing their entrepreneurial skills as they prospect for new customers and solidify links to Class 1s.