Rail
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Trucking capacity crunch draws shippers to intermodal
Shippers are taking advantage of current market conditions before intermodal pricing catches up to over-the-road rates, per Uber Freight.
By Alejandra Carranza • April 1, 2026 -
Norfolk Southern says higher fuel costs could spur intermodal volumes
CEO Mark George said rising gas prices tied to the Iran war may lead to greater coal demand, which could boost the rail carrier's utility business.
By Alejandra Carranza • March 25, 2026 -
Explore the Trendline➔
Mario Tama via Getty Images
TrendlineTop 5 stories from Supply Chain Dive
Here’s how companies are navigating evolving global trade and tariff policies, rising costs and operational uncertainty across supply chain networks.
By Supply Chain Dive staff -
Norfolk Southern, CMA CGM partner on intermodal service
The Midwest-to-West Coast offering aims to better convert long-haul highway freight to rail, a spokesperson for the railroad told Supply Chain Dive.
By Kelly Stroh • Feb. 27, 2026 -
"Union-Pacific Train on Railroad Bridge over Trinity River, Riverside, Texas 1209081627" by Patrick Feller is licensed under CC BY 2.0
Deep DiveHow a combined UP-NS railroad would alter market dynamics
The potential tie-up would create another level of industry giant, raising concerns about rate increases and regional competitive balance.
By Bill Stephens • Feb. 11, 2026 -
Deep Dive
Top supply chain risks and trends to follow in 2026
Explore how tariff changes, key supply shortages and volatile logistics capacity will test network resilience in this roundup of deep dives from Supply Chain Dive.
By Phil Neuffer • Jan. 30, 2026 -
Deep Dive
5 logistics trends to watch in 2026
Stabilizing market dynamics for shippers could be curtailed by overcapacity and network complexity risks, logistics experts said.
By Kelly Stroh , Max Garland • Jan. 29, 2026 -
Deep Dive
5 supply chain management trends to watch in 2026
Following a year jam-packed with uncertainty, retailers and manufacturers will prioritize cost optimization amid a fragmenting global economic picture.
By Phil Neuffer • Jan. 8, 2026 -
Year in pictures
Tariffs, strikes and tragedies: How 2025 transformed supply chains
Supply chains faced tumult, with changes to U.S. trade policies and labor unrest contributing to a mosaic of uncertainty. Here is a visual look at the busy year.
By Kelly Stroh , Max Garland , Phil Neuffer , Antone Gonsalves , Edwin Lopez , Shaun Lucas • Dec. 22, 2025 -
Compete or complement? Trucking foresees mixed intermodal impact from merger of rail giants
Winners and losers will emerge in road transport as Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern join forces, according to industry experts.
By Shefali Kapadia • Dec. 9, 2025 -
BNSF, CSX boost intermodal speed, launch new lanes
The rail partnership offers faster schedules from Los Angeles to destinations including Northwest Ohio and Philadelphia.
By Kelly Stroh • Dec. 3, 2025 -
Union Pacific, Norfolk Southern merger approved by shareholders
The voting results mark a key milestone in the combination process, Norfolk Southern CEO Mark George said.
By Max Garland • Nov. 14, 2025 -
UP-NS merger: Rigorous STB review a must, lawmakers say
Eighteen U.S. senators signed a letter to the agency warning the combination could weaken competition, raise rates and hurt the agricultural supply chain.
By Phil Neuffer • Nov. 5, 2025 -
Deep Dive
UP, NS say a merger will cut carload transit times. Shippers aren’t convinced.
Carload trip duration and equipment utilization haven’t improved meaningfully despite several other mergers in the last few decades, one expert said.
By Bill Stephens • Oct. 24, 2025 -
Top supply chain conferences to keep on your radar in 2026
This year’s trade shows will showcase resilience strategies, technology adoption and talent development as companies contend with tariff volatility and other challenges.
By Kelly Stroh • Updated Jan. 30, 2026 -
Union Pacific-Norfolk Southern: Shippers flag merger concerns
The Rail Customer Coalition tells the Surface Transportation Board that fewer rail options could force shippers to pay more for poorer service.
By Antone Gonsalves • Sept. 23, 2025 -
Union Pacific adds 15 focus sites to network
Twelve of the large-scale development areas are located on short-line railroads.
By Kelly Stroh • Sept. 22, 2025 -
CSX, CN agree to develop intermodal service into Tennessee
The offering will transport international containers from Canada’s West Coast gateways through Memphis directly to Nashville.
By Alejandra Carranza • Sept. 18, 2025 -
UP, NS intermodal service to connect western, southern markets
The railroad service aims to offer truck-competitive transit times for multiple industries, including automotive and consumer goods.
By Alejandra Carranza • Sept. 16, 2025 -
Opinion
UP-NS merger: Boosting supply chains with Lincoln’s vision
A coast-to-coast, single-line railroad would eliminate the inefficiency of interchanges, writes Seton Hall University Assistant Professor Danielle Zanzalari.
By Danielle Zanzalari • Sept. 15, 2025 -
How a transcontinental railroad could speed up intermodal transfers
Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern say their $85 billion combination would reduce crosstown truck transfers in Chicago that add cost, complexity and transit time.
By Bill Stephens • Sept. 10, 2025 -
Tariff strategies, economic clouds: What to know for the rest of 2025
Industry experts discussed commodity markets and logistics changes at Supply Chain Dive’s annual outlook event.
By Kelly Stroh • Aug. 19, 2025 -
Opinion
The wrong track: Why the STB should reject rail’s latest power grab
A merger of Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern would exacerbate existing issues like declining service standards, writes Alliance for Chemical Distribution CEO Eric Byer.
By Eric Byer • Aug. 11, 2025 -
Schneider starts early peak season surcharges for intermodal
The carrier is starting similar conversations with truckload customers about higher shipping costs.
By Alejandra Carranza • Aug. 4, 2025 -
De minimis’ end may boost intermodal cross-border activity
Meanwhile, the eradication of the exemption for shipments from China and Hong Kong is roiling the air cargo sector, according to industry experts.
By Kelly Stroh • July 30, 2025 -
Union Pacific, Norfolk Southern agree to merge
The two companies aim to close the transaction in early 2027, bringing together 50,000 route miles to form “the first transcontinental railroad” in the U.S.
By Phil Neuffer • July 29, 2025