FreightWaves reported Thursday that the Canadian National Railway (CN) is keeping a close eye on wildfires occurring across several provinces and it is in the process of adjusting operations as needed.
News in transportation
Transportation Prices Decline at Fastest Rate Ever Recorded in May
FreightWaves reported on Tuesday that according to data complied in the Logistics Managers’ Index (LMI), supply chain activity slid to an all-time low for the third consecutive month in May.
Saskatchewan Investing in Preservation and Maintenance of Northern Roads That Support the Forest Industry
Saskatchewan announced a $6 million (CAD) investment in the preservation and maintenance of northern roads that support the Saskatchewan forest industry. This one-time investment will fund gravel work and brush clearing on several northern roads.
Canadian Pacific Railway and Kansas City Southern Railroad Formally Complete Their Combination
The Canadian Pacific Railway and the Kansas City Southern Railroad formally completed their combination on Friday. This follows formal approval from the US Surface Transportation board a month ago. The new railroad will go by “CPKC.”
Decline in Truck Transportation Jobs in February Were the Third Largest in a Decade
FreightWaves is reporting that according to the recently released Bureau of Labor Statistics data, the truck transportation sector in February experienced major job losses, shedding 8,500 positions. Except for the massive drop in April 2020, the only similar decline in truck sector jobs was ten years ago.
US Surface Transportation Board Approves Canadian Pacific Railways’ Acquisition of Kansas City Southern Railroad
The Canadian Pacific Railway and the Kansas City Southern Railroad) jointly announced on Wednesday that the US Surface Transportation Board has issued a decision approving the CP and KCS joint merger application, subject to certain conditions, thereby authorizing the two railways to combine.
Transportation Prices Declined at a Record Pace in February
FreightWaves is reporting that transportation prices in February fell at the fastest rate recorded in the six-and-a-half-year history of a monthly survey of supply chain executives. The Logistic Manager’s Index (LMI) registered a reading of 36.1 for transportation costs in February, 5.9 percentage points lower than in January.
Two Unions Representing 3,000 Canadian National Railway Workers Vote in Favor of a Strike
Two unions currently engaged in contract talks with the Canadian National Railway have voted in favor of strike action, according to reporting by CityNews Calgary. Members of Unifor Local 100 and Unifor Council 4000 voted favorably after contract talks with the railway broke down in February.
Conifex Timber to Temporarily Curtail Production at Its Mackenzie, BC, Sawmill Due to Rail Service Challenges
Conifex Timber announced on Friday that it will be temporarily curtailing production at its Mackenzie, British Columbia, sawmill for a period of up to two weeks. The company cited unsustainable inventory levels due to rail transportation challenges.
US Freight Railroad and Intermodal Usage Slips in 2022
According to data released by the Association of American Railroads on Thursday, the US operations of freight railroads handled 25.4 million carloads and intermodal units in 2022. This is down 2.8% from 2021.