Politics, economy drive rail volumes
The Association of American Railroads reported the latest weekly U.S. rail traffic continued to power ahead, driven by positive economic factors and looming fears over trade.
Association of American Railroads
AAR, GoRail honor Denham of California
The leading U.S. rail policy organizations honored Rep. Jeff Denham for his “leadership backing the broad scope of industry issues in Congress.”
Energy, consumer spending lead rail traffic gains
Freight rail traffic “continues to reflect the strength of the U.S. economy across all major industry sectors, with 15 of the 20 commodity categories we track having higher carloads in July 2018 than in July 2017,” said Association of American Railroads Senior Vice President of Policy and Economics John T. Gray noted as the AAR presented U.S. figures for the week ending July 28, 2018, as well as volumes for July 2018. “July saw especially strong gains in commodities related to the energy sector—and also in categories tied to consumer spending, including automotive and intermodal traffic. Still of concern, though, is the potential negative impacts that could result from the ongoing discussions around trade.”
Carloads, intermodal up ahead of tariffs
Rail traffic moved smartly ahead the first week of July as shippers secured orders before President Trump’s tariffs take full effect.
U.S. intermodal registers double-digit gain
U.S. weekly intermodal volume rose 12% to 244,679 containers and trailers for the week ending July 7, 2018 compared with the same week last year, the Association of American Railroads (AAR) reported on July 11. Carloads for the week were 240,514, up 5.4% compared with the same week in 2017. Total U.S. weekly rail traffic rose 8.6% to 485,193 carloads and intermodal units.
AAR, ACC, API to Trump: Kill the tariffs—before they kill us
In July 11, 2018 commentary published in the Washington Examiner, AAR President and CEO Ed Hamberger teamed with American Chemistry Council President and CEO Cal Dooley and American Petroleum Institute President and CEO Jack Gerard to point out the inherent folly of President Donald Trump’s planned imposition of tariffs on steel and aluminum, which would almost certainly cause a simmering trade war with vital economic partners to boil out of control, killing jobs and flushing U.S. economic security into the sewer.
AAR: Rail traffic “consistent with a healthy economy”
The Association of American Railroads (AAR), in reporting U.S. rail traffic for the week ending June 30, 2018, as well as traffic for June 2018 and the year’s first half, noted that volume is keeping pace with a generally strong economy.
Rail freight maintains upward momentum
Weekly rail freight traffic continued stronger than a year ago, according to the latest industry data.
Trade tensions as rail freight lags economy
Is the Trump Administration’s widening trade war hurting rail freight traffic at home?
New month, new intermodal rail record
Rail freight continues to benefit from tight trucking capacity as spot market demand for highway haulage exploded this month.