FreightCar America, Inc. Announces Additional Steps in Manufacturing and Operational Realignment

FreightCar America, Inc. today announced additional steps in its manufacturing and operational realignment as it plans to acquire its partner's 50% interest in the joint venture in Castaños, Mexico and consolidate all of its production there by January. As part of this decision, the Company has started the process to permanently close its manufacturing facility in Cherokee, Alabama ("Shoals").

West Coast Freight Networks 'Bursting at the Seams' With Surging Imports

A crush of goods coming into West Coast seaports is straining capacity at the gateways and on key inland distribution lanes, raising shipping prices for retailers and complicating efforts to replenish inventories following the supply chain upheaval from the coronavirus pandemic.

US, Canadian Railroads Log Traffic Increase in Week 36

U.S. railroads logged an increase in freight-rail traffic during the week ending Sept. 5, with total volumes driven by a spike in intermodal units, according to Association of American Railroads (AAR) data. The increase marked the first time combined U.S. freight-rail traffic increased in a week since early 2020.

Even at $40 WTI, About 150 More North American E&Ps Will Need Chapter 11 Protection By End-2022

The Covid-19 pandemic has added severe financial strain on a North American upstream industry that was already reeling under billions of dollars of debt. With WTI climbing past $40 a barrel, most exploration and production firms (E&Ps) have been able to keep their head above water, but unless prices strengthen further about 150 more E&Ps will need to seek Chapter 11 protection through 2022, a Rystad Energy analysis shows.

Coalition Seeks One-Year Extension of FAST Act

A coalition of 88 business and government groups is pressing Congress to extend the current surface transportation law for one year before it expires in three weeks. The $305 billion Fixing America's Surface Transportation Act – known as the FAST Act – was signed by President Obama in 2015 and is set to expire at the end of the fiscal year on Sept. 30. In addition to creating grant programs for states and establishing performance levels for the highway, rail and maritime sectors, the law authorized funding out of the notoriously unstable Highway Trust Fund.

Rail Reform Advocates Say Regulation Is Choking the Industry's Access to Capital

Long before there was Big Tech or Big Pharma there was Big Rail — and with it a series of regulations intended to tame the once-dominant industry. More than 100 years later, rail advocates argue, the remnants of that regulatory legacy is endangering the ability of the industry to access the capital it needs to keep the industry growing and America's economy moving.

Huron Central Railway to Shut Down in December

Genesee & Wyoming Canada Inc. (GWCI) has announced that subsidiary Huron Central Railway will cease operations by the end of the year. GWCI's board met last month to confirm the decision, after discussions with federal and Ontario provincial governments failed to produce an agreement about a company proposal to "collectively invest" in the railroad's infrastructure, GWCI President Rick McLellan said in a press release.

Acron Group First in Russia to Transport Fertilizer Using Hopper Car

Acron Group is the first company in Russia to use 19-6978-01 hopper cars, manufactured by United Wagon Company, to ship its products. The six-axle hopper car, a unique model that efficiently combines articulated structure and hopper boxes located in the lower end parts of the car body, is unrivaled in the world car-building industry.

Brazil Likely to Extend Zero-Tariff Ethanol Imports Past U.S. Election, Sources Say

The Brazilian government is planning to extend a tariff-free ethanol import program for three months, two sources with knowledge of the matter told Reuters on Wednesday, a measure likely to please U.S. President Donald Trump's administration.