Trucking

Shippers Weigh Rail Shift as Visibility Gaps Persist

Trucking's competitive edge over rail stems largely from superior shipment visibility. According to industry analysis, shippers would redirect more freight to rail if tracking capabilities matched trucking's transparency standards.

Rail carriers are expanding service networks despite this visibility gap. Canadian National Railway reported a 6% increase in third-quarter profit, driven by grain, energy, and automotive freight activity. Multimodal logistics consolidation is also expanding across modes, with operators building European and West African networks to serve cold-chain and export customers.

Larger carriers are reshuffling rail partnerships to optimize service. Schneider National designated Norfolk Southern as its primary eastern rail provider as part of broader network optimization. Carriers remain focused on building competitive, sustainable operations as shipper demands evolve.