Why carrier data is key to solving intermodal's visibility issues

Recent research stresses the importance of data availability and quality. But a panel of experts said carriers aren't always willing to share.

By Matt Leonard • Oct. 23, 2020

CSX nabs intermodal shippers from tight trucking market, says it has room to grow

The railroad's network may have been squeezed by the recent unpredictability — as seen in the slower speeds and longer dwell time — but it assured analysts it still has plenty of capacity.

By Matt Leonard • Oct. 22, 2020

Explore the Trendline➔

Inside the trends affecting logistics management

The demise of the de minimis exception, trade tensions and tariffs are among the new challenges logistics managers are facing.  

By Supply Chain Dive staff

Kansas City Southern examines missed connections to improve 60% trip plan compliance

The railroad acknowledged its current figures are "not great," and improvement will be important to attracting more cross-border intermodal customers.

By Matt Leonard • Oct. 19, 2020

Truck vs. train: Which has the upper hand as spot rates soar?

Shippers consider lead times and freight types when selecting over-the-road, rail or intermodal.

By Jim Stinson • Oct. 15, 2020

DSV adds China-Europe trucking route as air, ocean alternative

The logistics provider anticipates higher freight demand and longer air transit times during peak season.

By Matt Leonard • Oct. 14, 2020

Intermodal volume swells to 4th-strongest month of all time amid restocking, e-commerce boom

It is difficult to project how long the current trend in intermodal volume will last, considering unpredictable variables like coronavirus case numbers and federal relief, one analyst said.

By Matt Leonard • Oct. 13, 2020

Spot rates, LTL volumes rise with e-commerce demand

Smaller shipments of goods, parcels and a large consumer appetite have rates going up, even as overall volumes tick down.

By Jim Stinson • Oct. 9, 2020

Admin and maintenance service is falling behind in the age of PSR, rail shippers say

More responsibility is falling on shippers' shoulders as railroads cut staff.

By Emma Cosgrove • Sept. 28, 2020

Maersk and Canadian Pacific to build transload, distribution center to take reliance off trucks

The partnership reduces intermodal handoffs, furthering Maersk's long-term strategy to become an integrated logistics company with end-to-end services.

By S.L. Fuller • Sept. 16, 2020

Hurricane Sally douses east-west throughways as it makes landfall in Alabama

Because Sally is slow-moving, the taper after landfall could last several days, and the bounce back may be delayed by recent storms Laura and Marco. 

By Emma Cosgrove • Updated Sept. 16, 2020

Intermodal leads rail volume recovery as retailers restock

Despite what may turn out to be a dramatic recovery for certain segments of the railroads' businesses, pricing is unlikely to shift until 2021, one CSX executive said.

By Emma Cosgrove • Sept. 9, 2020

Spot rates jump, ports remain closed as Laura heads north

Experts anticipate disruptions could last for days, due to high-speed winds and flooding in agricultural and energy supply chain hubs.

By Emma Cosgrove • Updated Aug. 27, 2020

Regulators warn Class I railroads on service issues, 'excessively late' trains

The railroads have renewed their commitment to precision scheduled railroading principles as volumes remain low compared to 2019.

By Morgan Forde • Aug. 26, 2020

Hurricane Laura expected to disrupt Gulf Coast supply chains beginning Wednesday

The Port of Houston, which handles 70% of the container cargo making land in the Gulf of Mexico, will close Wednesday and possibly Thursday.

By Emma Cosgrove • Aug. 25, 2020

Peak season in a pandemic: What happens to freight rates and capacity?

Metrics and economic factors can help shippers gauge capacity and rates for air, ocean, trucking and rail heading into freight's busy season.

By Matt Leonard • Aug. 20, 2020

Railroads voice wary optimism for peak as freight volumes make slow progress in July

Intermodal traffic is close to pre-pandemic levels, down 1% compared to July 2019. CSX attributed growing intermodal volumes to retailers replenishing inventories.

By Matt Leonard • Aug. 11, 2020

Norfolk Southern nabs former CSX, Union Pacific exec as railroad pushes forward on PSR

The railroad has consistently reported gains in train speed and reductions in dwell time, but operating ratio jumped above 70% in Q2.

By Emma Cosgrove • July 29, 2020

Residual effects of Hurricane Hanna to slow cross-border freight for days

Any closure of the major roads between Saltillo and Monterrey in Mexico can result in concentrated traffic and delays at the World Trade Bridge in Laredo, Texas.

By Emma Cosgrove • July 28, 2020

Union Pacific improves service metrics despite 20% volume drop

The railroad is now building up capacity for the volume growth it expects through the balance of the year, but executives emphasized it will not return to pre-pandemic workforce or equipment levels.

By Emma Cosgrove • July 24, 2020

CSX loses ground on service metrics due to volume volatility

A principal concern for the railroad was recalling workers who may have already found interim work elsewhere, delaying their return.

By Emma Cosgrove • July 23, 2020

Kansas City Southern's dwell time up 3% as volume returns amid cost cutting

The volume surge midway through the quarter caused the railroad to lose some progress on dwell, velocity and operations ratio compared with the same period last year.

By Emma Cosgrove • July 20, 2020

Rail volumes make 'slow recovery' but KCS keeps capacity tight

KCS's intermodal volume began improving as automotive plants reopened and parts were exported to Mexico. But lackluster consumer demand is still a drag on overall levels.

By Matt Leonard • July 7, 2020

CSX lays off 86 including management

The railroad did not specifically reference the coronavirus in its explanation for the staff cuts, but CEO Jim Foote has forecasted that the cost cuts driven by the pandemic may be maintained even when volumes recover.

By Emma Cosgrove • June 23, 2020

Automotive rail volume remains below pre-pandemic levels as factories reopen

Motor vehicles and parts volume was down 75% year over year in May, according to the latest numbers from the Association of American Railroads.

By Matt Leonard • June 17, 2020

Kansas City Southern attempts to get pandemic cuts to 'stick'

From executives to engineers, the coronavirus has taught Kansas City Southern that it can move freight with fewer people. 

By Emma Cosgrove • June 3, 2020