Intermodal and chemicals boost US rail traffic in January

Intermodal and chemicals boost US rail traffic in January

Record intermodal and chemicals volumes as well as higher grain volumes boosted overall US rail traffic in January, according to data from the Association of American Railroads (AAR).

Chemicals carloads increased by 4.4 percent or 5,717 carloads. However, despite the increased volumes for chemicals and grains carloads, overall January carloads were down 2.1 percent to 930,303 carloads, with a 12.1 percent drop in carloads of petroleum and petroleum products.

“We are encouraged by rail volumes in January. US intermodal shipments and carloads of chemicals set new records; grain had its biggest-ever year-over-year increase; total carloads were the highest they’ve been in a year; and carloads excluding coal actually grew year-over-year for the second straight month,” AAR senior vice president John T Gray said.

“To be sure, the economy remains under strain with a good deal of uncertainty, but we’re cautiously optimistic about the future. Railroads are well prepared to support a strong recovery whenever it occurs,” Gray added.

For more information visit www.aar.org

8th February 2021