Winter storms squeeze capacity, drive spot rates up 20 cents

Long-haul deliveries and outbound volumes dropped in Texas markets, but analysts said effects may be just a "blip" on the long-term freight market radar.

By Shefali Kapadia • Feb. 25, 2021

Winter weather disrupts Western rail service, logistics networks

Union Pacific told customers to expect a delay of at least 72 hours for shipments moving through the affected region until conditions improve.

By Matt Leonard • Feb. 16, 2021

Explore the Trendline➔

Top 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

Intermodal carloads up 12% but railroads struggle with trip plan compliance

Traditional commodities, such as coal, saw volume slump on the rail lines in 2020, but intermodal grew thanks to a tight trucking market and a glut of containers needing to move.

By Matt Leonard • Jan. 26, 2021

BNSF: Network redundancy key to intermodal speed

The railroad's new CEO, Katie Farmer, discussed adding redundancy at a time when other railroads see whittling away at network assets as the more in-vogue option.

By Matt Leonard • Jan. 21, 2021

Congestion could clog California ports into February, Hapag-Lloyd warns

One analyst suggested the congestion might continue into March, as nearly one quarter of all cargo was experiencing dwell times longer than five days near the end of 2020.

By Matt Leonard • Jan. 14, 2021

Railroads leaned into PSR principles during the pandemic

The Class I railroads sought to do more with less, as volume rebounded after a dip in the spring. But it wasn't all success in 2020.

By Matt Leonard • Dec. 22, 2020

JB Hunt: Rail ramp congestion disrupts intermodal service in Los Angeles, Chicago

J.B. Hunt expects the closures will impact its ability to pick up freight through Dec. 19.

By Matt Leonard • Dec. 17, 2020

Transport groups request vaccine priority for supply chain workers

The industry's call echos the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices' proposal that essential transportation workers receive the vaccine after healthcare personnel.

By A.B. Brown • Dec. 10, 2020

CSX aims to expand Northeast reach with Pan Am acquisition

The deal closed after regulators signed off in April, saying it would give shippers "more efficient single-line service."

By Emma Cosgrove • Updated June 2, 2022

Restocking is 'alive and well,' giving intermodal its best month ever

Intermodal volume was up 10% YoY in October and saw strong numbers in the first two weeks of November.

By Matt Leonard • Nov. 18, 2020

Dole, Amazon settle in as logistics infrastructure in Wilmington, Delaware, builds up and out

The Small Wonder's largest city offers close access to customers and labor but lower land prices than many of the surrounding markets. 

By Shefali Kapadia • Nov. 17, 2020

As supply chains cut costs, El Paso, Texas, takes on a new role

When DHL chose El Paso as its flagship border office, it joined a long list of companies that have made the city a magnet for logistics investments over the past six years. 

By Edwin Lopez • Nov. 17, 2020

Is Amazon Air making Cincinnati a supply chain hub for small business?

The e-tailer's revved-up presence in the area has spurred developments that are expanding infrastructure and logistics resources.

By A.B. Brown • Nov. 17, 2020

Tracking the speed, dwell and cars of Class I railroads

This dashboard shows the average speed, dwell time and cars online for all of the Class I railroads operating in the U.S.

By Matt Leonard • Updated Sept. 2, 2026

US Class I railroads prioritize PSR, efficiency at the expense of service

When intermodal volume came flooding back in Q3, railroads made trains longer. But results for the quarter show that's not necessarily a recipe for good service.

By Emma Cosgrove • Nov. 4, 2020

Norfolk Southern works to woo shippers with 'truck-like' offerings

Norfolk Southern specifically highlighted its recent joint venture, Rail Pulse, which is an effort to improve rail visibility by increasing the use of telematics.

By Matt Leonard • Oct. 29, 2020

How BMW turned Spartanburg, South Carolina, into a supply chain hub

The automaker approached the state and Norfolk Southern with a plan for an inland port that's now used by shippers from Adidas to John Deere.

By Matt Leonard • Oct. 27, 2020

Supply chain cities on the rise

Large populations, inland infrastructure, ports and advantageous tax codes can bring shippers and carriers knocking, putting cities on the fast track to logistics hub status.

Updated Nov. 17, 2020

Las Vegas plays its next ace in distribution

Industrial real estate is booming in Las Vegas with short transit times west of the Mississippi River and a business-friendly tax structure.

By Gary Wollenhaupt • Oct. 27, 2020

Port of Virginia to double size of on-dock rail yard with $44M expansion project

The port aims to meet growing demand for intermodal shipments, and has a goal of moving 40% of total container volume by rail.

By A.B. Brown • Oct. 26, 2020

Union Pacific intermodal service level suffers after sharp increase in West Coast volume

Dramatic volume swings are challenging the railroad as it's precision-scheduled railroading expert, COO Jim Vena plans his departure. 

By Emma Cosgrove • Oct. 23, 2020

Why carrier data is key to solving intermodal's visibility issues

Recent research stresses the importance of data availability and quality. But a panel of experts said carriers aren't always willing to share.

By Matt Leonard • Oct. 23, 2020

CSX nabs intermodal shippers from tight trucking market, says it has room to grow

The railroad's network may have been squeezed by the recent unpredictability — as seen in the slower speeds and longer dwell time — but it assured analysts it still has plenty of capacity.

By Matt Leonard • Oct. 22, 2020

Kansas City Southern examines missed connections to improve 60% trip plan compliance

The railroad acknowledged its current figures are "not great," and improvement will be important to attracting more cross-border intermodal customers.

By Matt Leonard • Oct. 19, 2020

Truck vs. train: Which has the upper hand as spot rates soar?

Shippers consider lead times and freight types when selecting over-the-road, rail or intermodal.

By Jim Stinson • Oct. 15, 2020