U.S. carload, intermodal volumes fall in Week 6

(Source: Progressive Railroading 02/16/2023)

U.S. railroads logged 473,972 carloads and intermodal units in the week ending Feb. 11, a 6.2% decrease compared with the same week in 2022, according to Association of American Railroads data.

The railroads reported a combined carload total of 233,382 units, down 1.6%, and 240,590 containers and trailers, down 10.2%.

Four of the 10 carload commodity groups posted increases. They included nonmetallic minerals; petroleum and petroleum products; and farm products excluding grain, and food. Commodity groups that posted decreases included grain, chemicals and forest products.

Canadian railroads reported 80,828 carloads, up 10.5%, and 59,672 intermodal units, down 11.4%. Mexican railroads reported 21,522 carloads, up 4.9%, and 16,253 intermodal units, up 4.5%.

For the first six weeks of 2023 compared with the same period in 2022:

• U.S. railroads reported 2,767,182 carloads and intermodal units, down 3.6%;
• Canadian railroads reported 833,584 carloads, containers and trailers, up 5.1%; and
• Mexican railroads reported 211,652 carloads and intermodal containers and trailers, down 4.3%.