The economic news from America’s freight industry associations lately has not been entirely uplifting to say the least. Everywhere we turn, there is a new report regarding decreases in freight traffic and earnings. This month was no exception.
Intermodal rail traffic in the United States fell 16.5% during the last week of September from the same week a year ago, accordingly to the Association of American Railroads. Providing specific unit numbers, the AAR advised that total intermodal freight volume dropped to 205,627 units, compared to 246,280 last year.
Of this decrease, containers fell 11% to 173,272 units, while trailer volume plummeted 37.2% to 32,355 units.
Excluding intermodal traffic, freight rail traffic itself fell 17.1% compared with last year. Railroad volume is considered an important economic indicator due to its direct relationship with manufacturing. Despite these rather depressing numbers, most economists are projecting freight industry growth for 2010.
In the meantime, Freightquote.com is keeping its freight shipping customers happy by leveraging the railroads’ empty cars. The lower freight volume has translated to reduced domestic rail freight rates for shippers. Freightquote’s instant online quote system – plus its established position within the industry – allows customers to compare several different shipping options and prices before booking a load.
Freightquote is able to negotiate the best rail and intermodal freight rates for its customers due to a substantial and regular volume of booked shipments. Carriers are competing to fill their containers, trailers and rail cars. Freightquote’s system puts its customers in the best possible position to take advantage of the current situation.
When, the economic climate makes its projected gains in 2010, Freightquote will still be out front, ahead of the pack in negotiating new rates, always ensuring that its shippers are able to compare the market’s best available rates at the click of a button.
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