A BNSF Railway train hauling ocean containers. Although international volumes rose slightly, overall intermodal loads fell in 1Q for the first time since 2016. Photo credit: Shutterstock There are few bright spots for intermodal in the first quarter and warning signs that business conditions are heading towards a freight recession. It’s hard to determine whether the numbers mean shippers aren’t moving as much freight, they are disenchanted with rail service,…

Truckload carriers added enough capacity in 2018 to Truckload pricing power has swung back to US shippers, and it’s difficult to see when that might change as the US economy expands more modestly in 2019 than last year, Kevin M. Zweier, vice president of transportation practice at Chainalytics, said during a JOC.com webcast Thursday. The addition of fresh truck capacity is pulling spot and contract rates lower. “What we predict…

A 26 percent decline in Kansas City Southern’s intermodal volume through the port of Lazaro Cardenas contributed to a 1 percent decrease in overall volume for the railroad during the first quarter. Photo credit: Shutterstock.com. The teacher blockade that halted trains into the Mexican ports of Manzanillo and Lazaro Cardenas in early 2019, pulling down intermodal volume handled by Kansas City Southern of Mexico, provides a reminder of the challenge…

Zeamarine’s present fleet consists of about 90 multipurpose and heavy-lift (MPV/HL) vessels with lift capacities up to 1,400 tons, according to the company. Photo credit: Zeaborn. Multipurpose and heavy-lift (MPV/HL) carrier Zeaborn Group will take full ownership of its Zeamarine joint venture (JV), pending approval by antitrust authorities, under an agreement to acquire the remaining interest in Zeamarine that is now held by New Mountain Capital. The Zeamarine JV was…