Rail & Intermodal

G6 Alliance Expands Space-Sharing Pact to Transpacific Trade

February 12, 2013

The G6 Alliance, a group of six ocean carriers sharing vessel space in the Asia-to-Europe container trades, is expanding its reach to include the route from Asia to the East Coast of North America.

Freight Railroads Plan to Invest $24.5Bn, Fill About 11,000 Positions in 2013

February 11, 2013

Association of American Railroads

The nation's major freight railroads plan to invest an estimated $24.5bn in 2013 to build, maintain and upgrade America's rail network to ensure freight railroads can continue to deliver for the nation's economy, according to the Association of American Rialroads. This investment includes $13bn in projected capital expenditures, which go toward upgrading or enhancing rail network capacity in the year ahead.

Lack of Competitive Rail Service Costs Chemicals, Plastics Shippers Billions, Report Says

February 5, 2013

CURE

The American Chemistry Council issued new research documenting how a lack of freight rail competition is costing U.S. chemical companies billions of dollars in excess shipping costs each year. Showing shipping rates that often exceed 300 percent of the revenue-to-variable cost (RVC) ratio, the ACC study estimates that if the $3.9bn premium on chemical shipments were reduced, the chemical sector could create up to 25,000 additional American jobs, with $1.5bn in new wages, and $6.8bn in new economic output.

Report Details Trends In Overseas Chemical Bulk Freight Market

January 25, 2013

ChemLogix

On an aggregate basis, freight rates for shipping chemical liquid bulk loads throughout Europe have decreased slightly between 2011 and 2012, according to a benchmark study conducted by LHC Consulting, a CLX Logistics company.

U.S. Transportation Infrastructure Greatly Underfunded, Civil Engineering Group Says

January 21, 2013

Bloomberg

Increasing annual infrastructure spending in the U.S. by $157bn over the next eight years would save $3.1tr in gross domestic product, $1.1tr in trade and 3.5 million jobs, according to a report from the American Society of Civil Engineers.

The Industrial Internet: A Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow?

January 7, 2013

Robert J. Bowman, SupplyChainBrain

A few weeks back I referenced the work of Robert J. Gordon, an economist and professor at Northwestern University. In a paper published last September for the Centre for Economic Research, he laid out the history of the first three industrial revolutions. And he asked whether a fourth, supposedly driven by the internet and other advances in information technology, could come anywhere near its predecessors in terms of productivity improvements.

'We Want to Be True Supply Chain Enabler,' CN CEO Says

January 4, 2013

The Globe and Mail

In discussing how the business model at Canadian National Railway has changed over the last 10 years or so, Claude Mongeau, CEO at CN, recognized the importance of the supply chain.

The Railroad Industry's Outlook for 2013

December 28, 2012

Railway Age

Resilience and resourcefulness are two terms that have become closely associated with North American railroads in recent years. The industry has emerged from the worst economic recession since the Great Depression in relatively solid shape, and enters 2013 positioned for growth.

Something Old, Something New: Dow Applies S&OP to Logistics Planning

December 28, 2012

SupplyChainBrain

A familiar concept is extended into the logistics arena, to help Dow Chemical Co. forecast both short- and long-term capacity requirements for transportation services.

Dow's European Chemical Supply Chain Turns Green

December 21, 2012

SupplyChainBrain

Working closely with Haesaerts Intermodal and Procter & Gamble, Dow Chemical Co. implemented a multifaceted plan for significantly reducing its carbon footprint caused by the movement of a crucial chemical from France to Russia.

Rail & Intermodal

The latest news, analysis, services and systems regarding rail and intermodal transportation and its impact on global supply chains. Today’s companies are transporting and delivering container shipments in a more efficient manner than ever before using new services and technologies that provide information en route - allowing them to stay ahead of the competition in their industries. As rail and intermodal cargo services continue to evolve, businesses are discovering new ways to increase efficiency and cut costs. Learn how companies are using rail and intermodal shipping solutions to power their supply chains.