U.S. rail carload and intermodal volumes are mixed, for week ending March 23, reports AAR

United States rail carload and intermodal volumes, for the week ending March 16, were mixed, according to data issued this week by the Association of American Railroads (AAR).

Rail carloads, at 219,586, fell 0.6% annually, topping the week ending March 9, at 214,585, and trailing the week ending March 2, at 220,406.

AAR reported that seven of the 10 carload commodity groups it tracks saw annual gains, including: grain, up 3,638 carloads, to 21,108; chemicals, up 2,186 carloads, to 33,134; and petroleum and petroleum products, up 1,836 carloads, to 9,954. Commodity groups posting annual declines included: coal, down 12,033 carloads, to 55,990; metallic ores and metals, down 903 carloads, to 18,683; and forest products, down 92 carloads, to 8,431.

Intermodal containers and trailers, at 255,010, saw a 13.8% annual increase, trailing the weeks ending March 9 and March 2, at 258,077, and 263,732, respectively.

Total rail carload and intermodal volume, at 474,596 units, is up 6.7% annually

Through the first 11 weeks of 2024, AAR said that U.S. rail carload volume, at 2,344,887, is off 4.1% annually, and intermodal units, at 2,759,413, is up 9.0% annually.

“The top priority following the tragic collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge must be supporting the individuals and families impacted,” said AAR SVP of Policy and Economics Dr. Rand Ghayad. “At this time, there are many unknowns about the long-term business impacts. However, recent years have shown us the resilience of railroads and the broader logistics sector in adapting swiftly to challenges while continuing to serve our customers. Those lessons will be put to work in the days ahead to minimize disruption to the fullest extent possible.”