In logistics, all roads lead to Memphis

The FedEx hub provides access to the four Rs: runway, rail, road and river.

By Barry Hochfelder • Sept. 25, 2019

US rail traffic down for 7th straight month in August

Railroads have taken a hit amid trade uncertainty and a decline in agricultural exports to China. 

By Matt Leonard • Sept. 20, 2019

Explore the Trendline➔

Top 5 stories from Supply Chain Dive

Here’s how companies are navigating rising costs, network changes and logistics disruptions across global supply chain networks.

By Supply Chain Dive staff

EEOC: Union Pacific ignored doctor's opinion of worker recovered from tumor

Employers violate the ADA if they claim an employee with medical restrictions poses a safety risk but cannot show a "direct threat," EEOC has said. 

By Lisa Burden • Sept. 13, 2019

Union Pacific suspends new shipper fees indefinitely

Such charges are a point of friction between railroads and shippers, especially since demurrage and accessorial fees have become more common in the age of precision-scheduled railroading (PSR), according to shippers. 

By Emma Cosgrove • Sept. 6, 2019

How will dwindling coal freight affect rail shippers?

The demand for coal from utilities is expected to drop by 50% by 2030, which would lead to a $5 billion revenue loss for railroads, according to Moody's. 

By Matt Leonard • Sept. 5, 2019

CN, CSX to team up on intermodal service

The service, which begins in October, will connect Montreal and southern Ontario to northeastern U.S. ports, aiming to take freight off the highways and onto the rails. 

By Emma Cosgrove • Aug. 12, 2019

Why BNSF is bucking the PSR trend and adding logistics centers

As other Class I railroads shed lines and close yards, BNSF is adding logistics centers to serve customers, with the most recent addition outside of Denver.

By Gary Wollenhaupt • Aug. 1, 2019

Rail service is at an all-time low, shippers tell House committee

The testimony supported the view that under the priorities inherent in precision-scheduled railroading, railroads are more focused on investors and regulators than customers. 

By Emma Cosgrove • July 26, 2019

Norfolk Southern expects 2019 intermodal volume to exceed 2018

Executives took a more optimistic view than other Class I railroads and downplayed tempered forecasts for rail growth. 

By Emma Cosgrove • July 25, 2019

How to conduct a freight sustainability analysis

Taking a step-by-step approach to finding the biggest sources of emissions in freight transportation can benefit the business and the bottom line.

By Barry Hochfelder • July 23, 2019

Kansas City Southern reaps PSR benefits with revenue up despite flat volume

The railroad's second-quarter results offer further proof that precision-scheduled railroading principles are, so far, protecting profits from slowing volume. 

By Emma Cosgrove • July 22, 2019

Union Pacific expects a normal peak season despite slow first half

UP's revenue decline was in line with CSX's reporting earlier this week. Analysts are still attempting to sniff out the source of "softness" in rail demand.

By Emma Cosgrove • July 19, 2019

CSX lowers revenue projections due to 'puzzling' economy

The railroad originally projected revenue to be up 1-2% for the year but has now adjusted those predictions, expecting revenues to be down 1-2%.

By Emma Cosgrove • July 17, 2019

Barry moves north as freight services resume

As the Gulf Coast moves into damage assessment mode and freight movement resumes, Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards told reporters the storm "could have played out very differently."

By Emma Cosgrove • July 15, 2019

UP intermodal customers subject to new fees for no-shows

The new fees demonstrate the trade-off for shippers that comes with more exact and efficient rail service — trucks need to show up when they say they will.

By Emma Cosgrove • July 10, 2019

With rail volumes as a guide, economic outlook sours

Railroad volumes have been shakier in 2019 than 2018 after a tumultuous winter plagued by flooding in the Midwest and trade uncertainty as tariff threats come and go.

By Emma Cosgrove • July 8, 2019

DOT marks $600M in grants for port, rail infrastructure

The U.S. Department of Transportation announced a slate of grants for coastal ports and state railroads this week, aimed at improving infrastructure, safety, technology and efficiency.

By Morgan Forde • June 13, 2019

CN acquires intermodal division of Alberta-based trucking firm

The deal represents a change in strategy for the railroad and a move toward a seamless, vertically-integrated service offering for shippers.

By Emma Cosgrove • May 14, 2019

Kansas City Southern tweaks KPIs to focus on shippers

The changes in metrics represent small revisions that frame the elements of speed and dwell from the customer's point of view. 

By Emma Cosgrove • May 8, 2019

Warren Buffett 'not above copying' other railroads on PSR

This openness to precision-scheduled railroading is a change in attitude for BNSF, which has, up to this point, seemed happy to watch the machinations of other railroads on the PSR path. 

By Emma Cosgrove • May 7, 2019

Canadian National's future acquisitions will 'feed the beast'

The railroad's March acquisition of trucking company TransX took its toll on some key indicators, but CEO JJ Ruest is confident the move will pay off in the long run. 

By Emma Cosgrove • May 1, 2019

Railroads blame PSR, harsh weather for muted intermodal growth

Operational strategies play a major role in volumes, leading railroads to experience the fading out of the intermodal boom of 2018 very differently.

By Emma Cosgrove • April 29, 2019

Norfolk Southern decreases dwell time 23% with PSR transition underway

The railroad touted the early work it has done to streamline its network while making clear that the bulk of the work to drastically increase the railroad's efficiency and reliability is yet to come. 

By Emma Cosgrove • April 25, 2019

Canadian Pacific 'encouraged' by PSR adoption in US

The hallmarks of PSR, such as schedule reliability and train velocity, benefit shippers and railroads beyond a single network and ultimately create additional capacity, said CEO Keith Creel.

By Emma Cosgrove • April 24, 2019

Union Pacific completes first of 3 PSR transition stages

The railroad is still "refining" its schedule and changes could still be "significant," said executives. 

By Emma Cosgrove • April 22, 2019