Genesee & Wyoming, RailAmerica show pulp and paper freight higher in February

By James McLaren, Senior Editor, PPI Pulp & Paper Week, RISI

SAN FRANCISCO, March 15, 2011 (RISI) - Genesee & Wyoming reported its North American and Australian pulp and paper railroad carloads in February at 7,275 units were 9.5% higher than a year ago and lumber and forest products volume at 4,602 carloads was 2.7% lower.

The company's total freight in February was up 12.1%.

For two months of 2011, G&W's pulp and paper freight at 15,895 carloads was up 16.7% and lumber and forest products at 9,802 carloads was 3.4% higher.

GWI's traffic in February was negatively impacted by winter weather in North America and flooding in Australia. RailAmerica also reported its February North American carloads were negatively impacted by weather, which resulted in temporary disruptions of service at certain railroads.

RailAmerica said its largest increases in February were in pulp and paper and chemicals.

February pulp and paper volume at 5,484 carloads was up 16.7% and for two months of 2011 at 11,246 carloads was 11.9% above 2010 levels. Forest products freight was down 4.9% and 1.8% respectively.

Pulp and paper was up primarily due to higher shipments in the US Southeast and Central regions, RailAmerica said.