Chemical rail traffic in North America has rebounded following the brief service stoppage of Canada’s two largest railroads, according to new data from the Association of American Railroads (AAR). During the week ended Aug. 31, chemical railcar volume in North America totaled 49,475 carloads, up 18.4% from the previous week and up 3.3% year over year. Volume in Canada totaled 15,039 carloads, up 67.7% from the previous week and up 5.9% year over year.

The four-week moving average (4wma) for North America came to 47,210 carloads, up 0.4% sequentially, up 2.0% year over year and up 6.5% from the seasonal trendline, as represented by the average for 2014–23 (left chart).

In the US, 4wma chemical railcar volume came to 32,925 carloads, up 0.1% sequentially, up 4.6% year over year and up 4.6% from the region's seasonal trendline (right chart). In Canada, 4wma chemical railcar volume came to 13,260 carloads, up 1.2% sequentially, down 5.0% year over year and up 12.3% from the trendline. In Mexico, 4wma chemical railcar volume came to 1,025 carloads, up 2.2% sequentially, up 24.5% year over year and down 3.1% from the trendline.

For the year to date, chemical railcar volume in North America is up 4.1%, while total railcar volume is down 3%. US chemical railcar volume is up 4.2% on the same basis, while Canadian chemical railcar volume is up 3.7% and Mexican chemical railcar volume is up 6.1%.

Source: Association of American Railroads