BTS: N. American Jan. Transborder Freight Falls 5.5% on Yr

SECAUCUS, NJ (DTN) – North American transborder freight moved by all modes of transportation decreased 5.5% in January compared to the same month last year, the U.S. Bureau of Transportation Statistics said Thursday (3/26).

Total freight value for the month reached $126.9 billion, marking a downward trend following a 1.2% year-over-year increase reported in December, according to BTS records.

The January decrease reflected lower volumes in railways, pipelines, and water vessels, while air freight and trade with Mexico showed growth despite the overall decline. Transborder freight between the U.S. and Canada fell 18.4% to $52.8 billion, while shipments between the U.S. and Mexico rose 6.5% to $74.1 billion for the month.

Trucks moved $84.6 billion of freight in January, a 3.5% decrease from a year ago, while rail shipments dropped 19.6% to $12.2 billion during the same period.

Pipeline freight decreased 10.3% to $9.3 billion and vessel shipments fell 19.7% to $6.6 billion, while air freight value rose 28.1% to $7.9 billion compared to last year.