AAR reports 2020 U.S. rail carload and intermodal volumes are down annually

United States rail carload and intermodal volumes saw annual declines in 2020, according to data issued this week by the Association of American Railroads (AAR).

Following a 4.9% annual decrease for carloads in 2019, to 12,992,404, 2020 carloads, which were significantly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, fell 12.9%, or 1,705,963 carloads, to 11,482,059, from 2019 to 2020.

Intermodal containers and trailers fell 1.8%, or 255,634 units, to 13,675,417, from 2019 to 2020, even though volumes saw strong growth over the second half of the year. And total 2020 U.S. rail carload and intermodal volumes—at 25,157,476 carloads and intermodal units, were off 7.2% annually.

“Before the pandemic even hit, railroads began 2020 on less-than-ideal footing because of weakness in the manufacturing sector and lower port activity caused by trade disputes,” said AAR Senior Vice President John T. Gray in a statement. “For several months earlier this year, railroads suffered near-record traffic declines, but they worked hard to keep the goods we all need moving. By the end of the year, rail traffic was close to pre-pandemic levels, sparked by sharply higher grain and intermodal shipments along with the reopening of auto assembly plants. It’s no surprise that rail volumes were down for the year overall, but railroads are looking to the future. Their experience in 2020 along with huge ongoing network investments have made the industry more adaptable and better able to adjust to the demands of a wide range of operational and market conditions. Railroads are well prepared to help our economy grow in 2021.”

For the month of December, U.S. rail carloads were down 3.7% annually, or 42,666 rail carloads, to 1,101,324.  

AAR said that 10 of the 20 carload commodities it tracks, were up annually, including: grain, up 28,095 carloads or 27.9%; chemicals, up 5,764 carloads or 3.7%; and iron & steel scrap, up 1,913 carloads or 12.9%. Commodities with annual December declines included: coal, down 50,509 carloads or 14.5%; crushed stone, sand & gravel, down 12,333 carloads or 14.8%; and petroleum & petroleum products, down 10,386 carloads or 15.8%.

Excluding coal, carloads were up 7,843 carloads, or 1 percent, in December 2020 from December 2019. Excluding coal and grain, carloads were down 20,252 carloads, or 2.9 percent.

December intermodal volume—at 1,334,495 containers and trailers—headed up 12.2%, or 145,126 units, annually.