Pulp and paper rail freight outpacing overall carload traffic in North America

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

SAN FRANCISCO, July 15, 2011 (RISI) - As total North American railroad traffic dipped 1.3% the week ending July 9 due to the US holiday, pulp and paper freight at 9,868 carloads was 5.8% higher than a year ago, according to the Assn of American Railroads.

Weekly US pulp and paper freight was up 6.3%, Canada rose 5.7% and Mexico fell 34%.

Year-to-date total North American rail traffic through 27 weeks is up 2.5% from 2010. Pulp and paper freight for the period is 7% higher to 141,286 carloads.

Year-to-date volume is up 7.4% in the US, up 5.9% in Canada and 47.6% higher in Mexico.

Weekly lumber and wood products rail traffic was 14.8% higher and year-to-date volume was up 7%, AAR showed.