intermodal

Intermodal volumes are robust, even past peak retail season. What does it mean for 2025?

Direct ChassisLink Inc. announced it’s adding GPS tracking to its entire fleet of 53-foot domestic chassis.

CPKC and cold chain logistics specialist Americold will expand their strategic collaboration to co-development projects in Mexico.

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.

With the freight recession seemingly in the rearview mirror, FreightWaves’ transportation market experts advise on how to prepare for 2025.

J.B. Hunt Transport Services is hopeful that Western rail service will improve, allowing it to layer higher contract pricing across record intermodal volumes.

Could intermodal be capping the truckload market’s potential breakout?

Schneider National announced it will begin an intermodal service connecting Mexico and Texas with the U.S. Southeast next month.

Tariffs, taxes, the FTC and food regulations are among the major issues.

With deep roots in the truckload space and a strong commitment to innovation, Werner has positioned itself as an intermodal leader across the North American markets.

Trinity Industries, which builds tank cars, covered hoppers and other freight cars saw lower revenue but higher profits on better railcar lease rates and improved efficiencies.

Hub Group reported year-over-year revenue decreases in its intermodal and logistics segments during the third quarter.

Universal Logistics Holdings officials said they expect operating revenues of $1.8 billion to $1.9 billion in 2025.

Universal Logistics Holdings’ third-quarter financial results show year-over-year decreases in its trucking, brokerage and intermodal segments.

CPKC saw single-digit gains in freight volumes in the third quarter, but the operating ratio climbed as a brief lockout of union employees hit network operations.

While hedge funds wring savings from other Class 1 railroads, Union Pacific CEO Jim Vena says his line can win new business with service and “operational excellence.”

Tender rejection rates rise for reefer, but remain muted for dry van, suggesting supply and demand in the reefer segment is much more balanced.

J.B. Hunt Transport Services beat third-quarter expectations as it awaits a turn in the freight market.

J.B. Hunt Transport Services reported a better-than-expected result for the 2024 third quarter on Tuesday after the market closed.

Hub Group announced a joint venture with Mexico’s largest intermodal carrier, EASO.

Containerized logistics services provider STG Logistics said it will use a new $300 million debt and equity financing package to fund future growth.

Union Pacific says it’s already successfully handling the surge in container volume at West Coast ports, which began weeks ago as shippers sought to dodge a potential strike at ports on the East and Gulf coasts.

U.S. railroads see the highest weekly intermodal traffic since the pandemic, and ongoing supply chain issues could aid further gains as a threatened longshore strike creeps closer.

A shuttered California-based trucking company that once pulled intermodal containers out of the Port of Oakland has filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy liquidation.

Intermodal providers are taking share with grace, but is it counterproductive to pricing gains?

Even a short work stoppage by the ILA would greatly disrupt freight networks. SONAR charts show evidence of shippers looking to avoid getting caught in a potential ILA strike which has impacts on maritime, rail intermodal and truckload data.

No talks are scheduled between employers and the International Longshoremen’s Association, which represents unionized workers at ports on the U.S. East and Gulf coasts. Bargaining has stalled over technology and pay issues.

The Montreal Port Authority is spending more than $42 million to restore and upgrade the Pie-IX rail bridge, a project that will also help a port-based sugar refiner boost capacity.

The truckload market appears to be increasingly stable through a period when it normally isn’t. While the immediate future appears uneventful, the holiday shipping season is anything but certain.

International Longshoremen’s Association representatives unanimously backed President Harold J. Daggett’s call for a coastwide strike at ports from Maine to Texas on Oct. 1.

In the latest move to strengthen the largest U.S. container gateway, a key Port of Los Angeles terminal will receive $52 million to upgrade its on-dock rail capacity.

Empty containers could be a strong transportation demand signal for September, but the market appears ready to handle it, for now.

Rail’s lower shipping costs and reduced carbon emissions often come at the expense of reliability and service. CSX is committed to changing that.

FreightWaves’ State of Freight webinar suggests U.S. consumers could help boost the freight marketplace during the holidays.

Minnesota’s federally mandated State Freight Plan identifies key areas for investment in the statewide transportation system to ensure goods movement that is safe, efficient and sustainable.

The Port of New York-New Jersey was the latest gateway to benefit from the early peak shipping season as importers stocked up on holiday inventory to circumvent a host of supply chain issues.

It could take the two largest Canadian railroads a week or more to recover from the effects of a shutdown that briefly stalled billions in freight including transborder trade with the United States.

Eastern railroad CSX said it had come to tentative agreements with seven more unions ahead of scheduled collective bargaining, just days after it announced five early deals with unionized workers.

The agreements were announced just days after CSX completed early deals with its unions as labor flexes its newfound strength with employers following the pandemic.

The Port of Los Angeles has named Erica M. Calhoun deputy executive director overseeing the city of Los Angeles Harbor Department’s Administrative Bureau.

As eastbound import traffic continues to grow, Union Pacific announced surcharges for its premium EMP and UMAX services out of the Southern California gateway.

The industries to be most heavily impacted are those in bulk commodities, such as grain, potash and metallurgical coal. In addition, several intermodal corridors will be heavily impacted including long-haul international intermodal lanes, cross-border lanes. US intermodal volume is seeing a boost, but that could lead to congestion.

CN said it received no response from Teamsters after making a final contract offer in a bid to avoid service disruption.

While contract talks between Canadian National, Canadian Pacific Kansas City and union employees continue, a rail shutdown would reverberate through the supply chain connecting Canada and the U.S.

Amid lockout and strike notices, contract bargaining continues as Ottawa makes a push for both sides to come together on a new rail labor contract.

Canada’s busiest import gateway is managing port fluidity as railroads issue lockout notices, and Teamsters are warning of a planned strike as the latest contract talks fail.

The outlook for supply chain congestion this fall led importers to move holiday goods earlier than usual through Long Beach, the second-busiest U.S. port.

Construction continues on a Chicago bridge project designed to reduce delays and improve flow by untangling freight and passenger rail lines.

Operators of first-mile and last-mile railroads are staffing up for a legislative push ahead of fall elections.

Vessel delays and labor concerns had importers rushing to get holiday merchandise into the Port of Los Angeles before the traditional peak season in the fall.

Eastern Class 1 railroads Norfolk Southern and CSX will help reach Midwest cities with double-stack trains from the newly expanded Port of Virginia central rail yard.

Importers are advised to seek alternative routes and plan for extended delays as the peak shipping season gets underway, following an explosion involving hazardous materials at China’s Port of Ningbo.

The Blue Ridge Connector will improve intermodal services to the northeast Georgia logistics center.

Easing port congestion, seasonal demand trends make third surge improbable.

Transportation provider Hub Group sees Q2 revenue fall 5% year over year to $986 million.

A key port in New Jersey is adopting propane as a preferred fuel for the vehicles that move around its property.

Universal Logistics Holdings saw increases in second-quarter top-line revenue, along with gains in its trucking and contract logistics segments.

J.B. Hunt missed second-quarter expectations as volumes remained weak across all modes, expenses remained elevated and intermodal yields declined.

Outspoken consultant shares views on India and Starbucks, among other things.

In competitive lanes, loads shift from rail to road.

Universal Logistics sees a potential uptick in trucking volumes and rates by the end of the year.

SONAR sets up intermodal trading ideas ahead of earnings.

J.B. Hunt Transport Services reported a miss on first-quarter expectations Tuesday after the market closed.

Largest online retailer to impose new inventory-placement and low-inventory fees.

The Port of Huntsville in Alabama reported 24% year-over-year growth at its intermodal container yard in 2023.

A battery-charging network strategy aimed at phasing out diesel-burning trucks kicks off with 12,000 miles of interstate freight corridors.

IMC Logistics has acquired American Pacific Transportation, growing the company’s drayage capacity to more than 500 trucks in California.

Fastfrate Group has renewed a long-term agreement with CPKC to provide intermodal and drayage services in the U.S., Canada and Mexico.

J.B. Hunt said Thursday it will buy Walmart’s intermodal assets and that the two companies entered a multiyear agreement that will bring more shipments to J.B. Hunt’s network.

Universal Logistics posted lower Q4 revenue in its trucking, intermodal and brokerage segments.

Hub Group reported year-over-year decreases in its intermodal, logistics and truck brokerage segments during the fourth quarter.

Canada-based Bison Transport is partnering with CPKC to provide cross-border intermodal service between Canada, the U.S. and Mexico.

Multimodal carrier considers volume a leading indicator and price a lagging one.

Intermodal rail might still face pressure from a loose truck market in 2024, but intermodal rail providers could see volumes grow longer term if they keep service humming, according to Breakthrough’s chief economist.

In this edition: There are some big advancements across the pond in rail and carbon emissions reduction, and Oklahoma invests in supply chain reliability.

Intermodal rail can and should be a competitive transportation mode, provided that short-line railroads play a part and more investments go into developing intermodal hubs and insightful data sets, according to a report commissioned by the Environmental Defense Fund.

In this edition: Three intermodal companies form an alliance; DAT has zero tolerance; and Yellow’s legacy lives on.

Talon Logistics CEO Emmanuel Carrillo emphasizes shippers should diversify their logistics networks and explore intermodal shipping in the new year.

Holiday sports offer welcome reprieve from discouraging newsfeed.

J.B. Hunt and BNSF Railway are heralding a new era in freight transport with an intermodal partnership called Quantum. With it, they hope to add enough value to win market share from truckload freight.

BNSF, J.B. Hunt Transport Services and Mexico’s GMXT are launching an intermodal service in January between Mexico and the Midwest.

J.B. Hunt and BNSF Railway announce the launch of a new customized intermodal offering at FreightWaves’ F3: Future of Freight Festival 2023.

FreightWaves CEO Fuller talks Convoy collapse and why things aren’t improving for carriers.

The return of intermodal shipping could accelerate truckload capacity’s exodus.

Hub Group reported $1 billion in revenue and earnings per share of 97 cents during the third quarter.

The Port of Montreal has received funding from Canada’s National Trade Corridors Fund to build a new terminal aimed at boosting the port’s container handling capacity.

Executives for shuttered logistics operator Tiger Cool Express have restarted an intermodal project in Washington state.

Union Pacific will be offering intermodal service between two cities in Mexico and the U.S. Southeast.

In addition to financial benefits, rail offers shippers a simple, well-established way to ramp up their focus on sustainability and reduce their greenhouse gas emissions.

U.S. intermodal volumes actually grew in September, according to the Association of American Railroads. And with the harvest season in full swing in the fourth quarter, expect rising grain volumes.

While volatile markets are inherently difficult to navigate, they also provide an opportunity for enhanced relationship building between shippers and their transportation partners.

Two Florida East Coast Railway terminals will gain access to Norfolk Southern’s network, and NS and FEC will use a steel wheel interchange in Jacksonville, Florida, which will bolster access to Midwest markets.

DOE’s Office of Nuclear Energy says Atlas rail car system has undergone final testing, while Minneapolis-based Thermo King introduced its next-generation temperature-controlled slimline rail unit.

Pricing strategies advance as companies model changes in consumer behavior.

Although the U.S. supply chain may no longer be imperiled by the pandemic-era chassis shortage, companies should still act in response to expectations that e-commerce and global trade will only continue to grow, according to the president and CEO of Trac Intermodal.

Expanded service offerings, such as a reduction in transit time for the Falcon Premium intermodal service, should help support Union Pacific in the third and fourth quarters, UP leaders said at an investor conference this week.

Parallel Systems unveiled Tuesday another second-generation, battery-powered autonomous rail vehicle, which is slated for use in pilot projects both in the U.S. and abroad. Through this iteration of the autonomous […]

Canadian railway CN and Norfolk Southern are partnering to create a domestic intermodal service that will connect Canadian customers with markets in the U.S. Southeast.

The new service will provide a direct connection from the Port of Savannah to CSX’s intermodal terminal in Rocky Mount, North Carolina.