Intermodal

Total July volume, at 1,595,728 units, increased 4.4% annually, following a 0.5% annual decline in June.

Rail carloads, at 227,327, rose 2.4% annually, and intermodal containers and trailers, at 283,867 units, were up 3.4% annually.

July U.S. rail carloads, at 1,122,842, posted a 4.6% annual gain, for its fifth consecutive month of annual monthly gains, and July intermodal volume, at 1,350,873 units, increased 2.4% annually, following a 2.9% annual decline in June.

Discover the winners of Logistics Management's prestigious “42nd Annual Quest for Quality Awards,” honoring top performers in transportation and logistics services. This year's survey garnered over 3,017 responses, evaluating providers across key criteria like On-time Performance, Customer Service, and Information Technology.

Discover the winners of Logistics Management’s prestigious “42nd Annual Quest for Quality Awards,” honoring top performers in transportation and logistics services. This year’s survey garnered over 3,017 responses, evaluating providers across key criteria like On-time Performance, Customer Service, and Information Technology. Categories include motor carriers, railroads, ocean carriers, and more, reflecting LM’s commitment to excellence in service quality. Learn who stood out and what sets them apart in the logistics industry.

Total second quarter, at 4,579,798 units, increased 2.4% annually, marking the seventh consecutive quarter of annual growth, following eight straight quarters of annual declines.

Rail carloads, at 233,085, posted a 6.4% annual gain, and intermodal containers and trailers, at 279,724, eked out a 0.2% annual increase

Rail carloads, at 231,029, saw a 0.9% annual gain, and intermodal containers and trailers, at 283,250 units, rose 1.3% annually.

While leadership at Class I railroad carriers Union Pacific (UP) and Norfolk Southern (NS) touted the benefits of this week’s announcement, coming to terms on an $85 billion deal in which UP will acquire NS—to create the nation’s  first transcontinental railroad that will connect more than 50,000 route miles across 43 states from the East Coast to the West Coast and connect around 100 ports as well—feedback from various shipper groups has been less than receptive to the deal.

Following a heavy amount of speculation that Omaha-based Union Pacific (UP) was taking steps to acquire Atlanta-based Norfolk Southern (NS), in first Class I railroad merger since the April 2023 deal, in which Canadian Pacific acquired Kansas City Southern for $31 billion, that was subsequently respectively confirmed by the companies in recent days, UP and NS announced today that they have come to terms on an agreement for a deal.

Fort Worth, Texas-based Class I railroad carrier BNSF Railway said it rolled out a new, expedited, third-day rail service, running from Los Angeles to Houston. Company officials said that this service, which went live on July 10, is comparable to over-the-road service options and represents a significant advancement in the company’s ability to deliver fast, consistent and reliable transportation offerings.

Total June volume, at 1,469,872 units, fell 0.3% annually, following a 0.5% annual May increase.

Rail carloads, at 223,968, posted a 4.1% annual increase. Intermodal containers and trailers, at 272,220 units, were up 1.4% annually.

Rail carloads, at 204,513, increased 4.8% annually, and intermodal containers and trailers, at 238,536 units, increased 5.2% annually.

The freight rail and intermodal sectors are facing continued market fluctuations in 2025, with U.S. rail carloads showing a slight decline and intermodal volumes reaching a three-year high. While rail carloads grew by 2.5% year-over-year through May, intermodal growth slowed with only a modest 0.6% gain in May.