U.S.-Canada Freight Up Overall, Trucking’s Share Lower

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The total value of freight moved between the U.S. and Canada increased 1% in March compared to the same time a year earlier, but trucking alone saw a decline, according to new figures released by the U.S. Transportation Department.

The overall value totaled US$50.8 billion, as air transportation was the only mode that carried more U.S.-Canada freight than in March 2014.

A drop in bidirectional trade of vehicles and parts contributed to a 3.4% decline in U.S.-Canada truck freight over the same time period while lower mineral fuel prices contributed to a year-over-year decrease in the value of rail freight, down 2.9%.

Trucks carried 58.4% of freight to and from Canada, followed by rail at 16.7%, pipeline at 9%, air at 4.9% and vessel at 4.4%.

In March, the top commodity category transported between the U.S. and Canada was vehicles and parts, of which US$5.4 billion, or 59.2%, moved by truck.

Mineral fuels had been the top commodity by value moved between the U.S. and Canada for 29 consecutive months. This change is due, in large part, to a decline in the unit price of mineral fuels in recent months, according to the U.S. DOT.

The surface transportation modes of truck, rail and pipeline carried 84.1% of the total U.S.-Canada freight flows

The report also showed total freight moved between the U.S. and its North American Free Trade Agreement Partners, which includes Canada and Mexico, totaled US$96.1 billion in March, a 5.3% decline from March 2014.

Three out of five transportation modes (air, rail, and truck) carried more U.S.-NAFTA freight than in March 2014.

The value of commodities moving by air grew by the largest percentage of any mode, 6%, among the three countries. Rail freight increased by 1.5% and truck freight increased by 0.9%

Trucks carried 64% of U.S.-NAFTA freight and was the most heavily utilized mode for moving goods to and from both U.S.-NAFTA partners. Rail remained the second largest mode, moving 15.8% of all U.S.-NAFTA freight, followed by vessel at 6.2%, pipeline at 5.1% and air at 4.1%

The surface transportation modes of truck, rail and pipeline carried 84.9% of the total U.S.-NAFTA freight flows.

U.S.-Mexico freight totaled US$45.2 billion in March 2015, 15.7% higher than a year earlier while truck freight increased by 5.3%.


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