North America pulp and paper rail traffic up 2.1% in 2011; latest week off 0.9%

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

SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 13, 2012 (RISI) - North American pulp and paper railroad freight traffic at 496,627 carloads in 2011 was 2.1% higher than in 2010 and was 4.7% higher than in 2009, according to Assn of American Railroads statistics.

For the 52-week period, US pulp and paper traffic was 4.3% higher, Canada was 1.3% lower and Mexico was off 0.1%.

In the latest week ending Jan. 7, 2012, pulp and paper rail freight was off 0.9% from a year earlier, and lumber and wood products was up 2.5%, AAR reported. Total rail traffic declined in the week by 4.1%. Total traffic in 2011 was up 2.5% from 2010.

US-Canada pulp and paper freight in December was 2.7% higher year-over-year.

Regional carrier RailAmerica reported its December pulp and paper freight dropped 8% from a year ago and was 8.5% lower for the fourth quarter. Forest products volume was up 8.6% and 10.9% respectively. Genesee & Wyoming showed its December pulp and paper freight was off 1.8% from 2010 and for the quarter was down 1.6%. Lumber and forest products volume was up 0.8% in December and 2.3% higher for the quarter.

North American lumber and wood products freight was up 10.6% in 2011 from 2010. Primary forest products freight was off 2% in 2011 from the prior year.