N. America weekly chemical rail starts year with strong gain

During the week ended 5 January, chemical railcar traffic in North America increased 7.9% year-over-year (YOY) on gains in the United States and Canada. Volume totaled 42,859 carloads, up 1.9% from the previous week, according to data released on 9 January by the Association of American Railroads (AAR). For the year to date, chemical railcar traffic in North America is up 7.9%. Chemical railcar traffic in the United States contributed 29,891 carloads to the total, up 5.8% YOY and up 2.3% from the previous week. For the year to date, US chemical railcar traffic is up 5.8%. Canadian chemical rail traffic totaled 12,187 carloads, up 15.6% YOY and up 2.6% from the previous week. For the year to date, Canadian chemical railcar traffic is up 15.6%. Chemical railcar traffic in Mexico totaled 781 carloads, a YOY decrease of 14.9% and a sequential decrease of 19.8%. For the year to date, Mexican chemical railcar traffic is down 14.9%.