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Yahoo
5 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
US rail traffic ekes out another gain over 2024
U.S. weekly rail traffic remained above 2024 levels for the week that ended on Saturday — but barely. According to the Association of American Railroads, traffic for the week was 488,709 carloads and intermodal units, a 0.7% gain over the same week in 2024. It marked the 13th consecutive week in which traffic has been above year-ago figures, but the smallest gain during that period. The overall figure includes 226,091 carloads, up 3.8%, and 262,618 containers and trailers, a decrease of 1.8% compared to the corresponding week in 2024. Gainers and decliners were evenly split for the week. Coal shipments topped all commodity increases, up 12.1%, followed by motor vehicles and parts, 4.1%, and nonmetallic minerals, 3.5%Through 21 weeks, 2025 volume is 10,280,643 carloads and intermodal units, a 4.9% gain over the same period in 2024. That includes 4,580,934 carloads, up 2.3%, and 5,699,709 intermodal units, up 4.9%. North American traffic for the week, as reported by nine U.S., Canadian and Mexican railroads, was 675,811 carloads and intermodal units, up 1.8% from the same week a year ago. That included 330,466 carloads, up 4.5%, and 345,345 containers and trailers, down 0.8%. The year-to-date volume for North America is 14,173,143 carloads and intermodal units, up 3.3% from the first 21 weeks of 2024. That includes 3,407,247 carloads and intermodal units in Canada, a gain of 0.7%, and 485,523 carloads and intermodal units in Mexico, a decrease of 10.1%. Subscribe to FreightWaves' Rail e-newsletter and get the latest insights on rail freight right in your more articles by Stuart Chirls railroad has 100 extra locomotives ready to handle a container surge Baun joins railcar builder Greenbrier as chief commercial officer Norfolk Southern expands short line interchange improvement program Rail agenda steams up as short lines blitz Congress The post US rail traffic ekes out another gain over 2024 appeared first on FreightWaves.
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
RXO Q2 2025 truckload market forecast: Inflation continues but at slower pace
RXO recently released its Q2 Truckload Market Forecast, which found that despite economic turmoil, the U.S. truckload space remained relatively calm according to shippers' KPIs. RXO's Curve forecast reported a 9.1% year-over-year increase in spot rates, a slight drop from the 11.6% growth in Q4 2024. Notably, contract rates grew for the first time since late 2022. FreightWaves' Todd Maiden writes, 'A trend – largely in place since 2023 – of soft freight demand, reductions in carrier capacity and stable rates continued in the first quarter.' 'We're as close to equilibrium, in terms of carrier supply and shipper demand, as we've been in over two years,' the update said. 'Relatively speaking, the capacity situation is much more fragile than at this time last year. With a continued difficult landscape for carriers, and (in many cases) decreasing 2025 contract rates setting in, it could set the stage for volatility later in 2025.' Shippers enjoyed a favorable environment in Q1 with high tender acceptance rates and accessible capacity, despite carriers' grappling with higher costs. According to Corey Klujsza, vice president of pricing and procurement at RXO, the market remained stable throughout the quarter, in line with seasonal expectations. An important Q1 development was the year-over-year growth in contract rates, marking a 1.4% rise from Q1 2024. Typically lagging behind spot rates, these contract rates have finally been lifted out of deflation. RXO analysts argue that the recent drop in inflation does not herald the market's peak. Historical patterns show temporary deviations in market cycles, and typical seasonal trends usually lead to rate retreats post-holidays. Additionally, with operating costs 34% higher than in 2014, significant rate drops remain unlikely. Macroeconomic factors also played a role, with U.S. GDP contracting for the first time since Q1 2022, coupled with trade policy-induced volatility. Import volumes spiked 14.5% in Q1, as shippers preempted new tariffs, but they have begun to decline in Q2. Looking ahead, Q2 is expected to bring typical seasonal volatility due to produce season and Memorial Day influences. However, significant rate increases remain unlikely without sustained higher demand. Supply constraints, particularly from carrier attrition, could cause future inflation. The U.S. Senate voted on Thursday to repeal a waiver granted to California by the Biden administration that required a large part of the trucking industry to achieve zero-carbon emissions by 2035. FreightWaves' John Gallagher writes: 'The nullifications of California's Advanced Clean Truck (ACT) and Low NOx Omnibus rules, accomplished through two Congressional Review Act resolutions, have already been adopted by the House of Representatives. They head to the White House where they are expected to be signed by President Donald Trump.' For the American Trucking Associations, it was a big win. The ATA had argued in a letter to Congress in April that if the California ACT regulation were allowed to move forward, 'Beginning with the 2024 model year, the Advanced Clean Trucks (ACT) regulation mandates that manufacturers progressively increase zero emission vehicle (ZEV) sales, aiming for 55% of Class 2b-3 vehicle sales, 75% of Class 4-8 vehicle sales, and 40% of Class 7-8 tractor sales to be ZEVs by the 2035 model year.' In a rare moment of agreement, the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association lauded the move, saying, 'For OOIDA members, vehicle reliability and affordability are critical. It's no wonder small-business truckers have left the state in droves to find better opportunities elsewhere.' This comes as some states are opting for a low-CARB diet, according to a recent article from Fleet Owner. Several states that originally voted to adopt California's Advanced Clean Trucks EV sales mandate are now rolling back or pushing out the enforcement dates. CARB is the environmental regulator California Air Resources Board. Fleet Owner reports Maryland, Massachusetts, Vermont and Oregon pushed back their compliance timelines for ACT by a year or more. For model year 2025, New Jersey, New York and Washington are on track while Colorado, New Mexico and Rhode Island begin enforcement for model year 2027. The post RXO Q2 2025 truckload market forecast: Inflation continues but at slower pace appeared first on FreightWaves.
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
What SONAR Is Telling Us This Week
If you've been hauling freight over the last few years, you already know—this market hasn't been kind to small carriers. Rates have been stuck low. Fuel hasn't offered much relief. And too many loads are posted without the pay to back them up. But this week, the data is showing signs that the market might be starting to shift. Not in a drastic way—but enough that smart carriers can get ahead of it if they understand what's happening. The data we're pulling from is called SONAR. It's FreightWaves' industry platform that shows real-time freight activity—spot rates, shipment volumes, rejection rates, and more. But we're not going to throw a bunch of graphs at you and expect you to know what it means. We're going to break it down in plain language so you can make better decisions with your truck and your time. This chart shows the National Truckload Index (NTI). That's the average linehaul rate per mile for dry van freight on the spot market. This week, that number ticked up to $2.31 per mile. That's not a huge jump, but it's meaningful. Two weeks ago, we were seeing spot rates hovering around $2.20. So this recent climb—about 5%—is the first clear sign of upward movement in a while. What this means for you:Rates are starting to inch up going into Memorial Day, which lines up with what typically happens seasonally. Retail freight, grilling supplies, beverage distribution—these all see a bump before the holiday. So if you're running spot market, now's a time to start dialing in to where those loads are popping. But here's the catch: don't just chase posted numbers. Spot rates might be improving overall, but that doesn't mean every broker's going to offer it up freely. You've still got to negotiate like it's your business, because it is. This chart shows the Outbound Tender Volume Index (OTVI). That's just a fancy way of saying how many shipments shippers are offering out to the market each day. The higher the number, the more freight is available to move. This week's number sits at 10,448. That's slightly up from last week, and what's more important—it's stable. In a market that's been shrinking or flat-lining, a consistent climb is a positive indicator. What this means for you:Shippers are putting more freight into the system. That means opportunities are starting to show up again. If you've been running the same lanes and seeing nothing but cheap or partial loads, it's time to start exploring lanes where the volume is climbing. Because when freight gets tight, so does pricing—and that's when you can take advantage. This map shows where spot market rates are rising or falling by region. Blue means rates are going up. Red means they're dropping. What we're seeing this week is a whole lot of light to dark blue across the Midwest, Southeast, and parts of Texas. That tells us one thing—carriers in those areas are getting better rates over the last few days. What this means for you: If you're based in or near: Ohio, Indiana, or Kentucky Georgia or the Carolinas Dallas-Fort Worth or Houston …you're likely going to see stronger offers this week. That doesn't mean chasing freight just because it pays slightly more—but if you're already running those lanes, now's the time to hold your ground on price and not settle for garbage just to stay moving. This last map is all about where the most outbound freight is coming from. Darker blue means more volume, which means more opportunities. White or light areas are slow. What stands out right now: California is heating up again (especially Southern California) Houston and Atlanta are consistently staying active Midwest markets like Chicago and Indianapolis are climbing back up What this means for you: You want to position your truck in zones where loads are abundant—because that's where brokers have to compete more to get trucks. And when they're competing, you get better rates. Think of it like this: in blue areas, you're the one holding the leverage. In white zones, you're just trying to stay loaded. Diesel costs remain elevated, especially in California and the Northeast. Make sure your lane strategy includes fuel-efficient planning—not just chasing gross revenue. Some carriers are running tighter this week, with roadcheck week just behind us. That means capacity is a little thinner than usual—and you might get a better rate if you're available and reliable. Imports are rising on the West Coast, which means those port-adjacent markets like LA, Long Beach, and even Phoenix are going to be flooded with inbound loads needing redistribution soon. This is not a full rebound. Not yet. But this is the kind of early movement that smart carriers can benefit from—if you know where to look and how to act. Here's what you should be doing right now: Get your breakeven dialed in and stop taking anything below it unless you absolutely have to Run lanes where the volume and rate maps align—blue to blue Use the holiday week to stack multiple short runs in good markets Push back on bad rates and get back to real negotiation The market doesn't owe you anything—but right now, it's starting to give you options. If you know how to read SONAR, it doesn't just give you information—it gives you a strategy. And in this game, strategy always beats hustle. The post What SONAR Is Telling Us This Week appeared first on FreightWaves. Sign in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Coal extends surprising lead in weekly US rail traffic
Carload traffic provided most of the growth as U.S. weekly rail traffic remained above 2024 levels for the week that ended on Saturday. Figures from the Association of American Railroads show traffic for the week totaled 490,775 carloads and intermodal units, a 3.4% increase over the same week a year ago. That figure included 229,226 carloads, up 7.1% over the corresponding week in 2024, and 261,549 containers and trailers, a 0.3% increase. Through 20 weeks, U.S. volume of 9,791,934 carloads and intermodal units represents a 5.1% increase over the same period in 2024. That includes 4,354,834 carloads, up 2.2%, and 5,437,091 intermodal units, up 7.5%. Coal, which has reversed a longtime decline, maintained its lead among commodities, up 17.5% for the week and 6.5% year to date, benefiting from cold outbreaks this winter and rising exports that are projected to reach 95 million short tons (MMst) this year, up from 91 MMst in 2024, mostly on record Asia demand, according to the U.S. Energy Information American traffic for the week, as reported by nine U.S., Canadian and Mexican railroads, was 687,953 carloads and intermodal units, up 3.8% from the same week in 2024. That includes 338,480 carloads, up 5.9%, and 349,473 intermodal units, up 1.9%. The year-to-date North American volume is 13,497,647 carloads and intermodal units, up 3.3% from the first 20 weeks of 2024. That includes 3,247,385 carloads and intermodal units in Canada, a gain of 0.6%, and 458,328 carloads and intermodal units in Mexico, a decline of 11.2%. (Chart: AAR)Subscribe to FreightWaves' Rail e-newsletter and get the latest insights on rail freight right in your inbox.J.B. Hunt and Eastern and Canadian railways see steady intermodal volume For first time since 1998, LA-Long Beach ports bid harbor rail services Advisory team will drive overhaul of US railroad regulator ITS Logistics report shows surge stressing US rail ramps after tariffs slashedThe post Coal extends surprising lead in weekly US rail traffic appeared first on FreightWaves.
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
White Paper: Q2 2025 Carrier Rate Report
FreightWaves' Carrier Rate Report — Sponsored by Trimble and Deloitte — provides a review of the previous quarter and a forecast for the coming months. Featuring responses from a carrier survey alongside SONAR data, the report is designed to provide intelligence that carriers can use to inform their strategies in the months ahead. Key areas of exploration include: Supply: Refilling the bloodbath? Q1 2025 Earnings Roundup Demand: Death by a thousand cuts FreightWaves Carrier Survey Takeaways Complete the form below to download your complimentary copy. The post White Paper: Q2 2025 Carrier Rate Report appeared first on FreightWaves.
