RailAmerica, Genesee & Wyoming report higher pulp and paper rail freight in August

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

SAN FRANCISCO, Sept. 13, 2011 (RISI) - RailAmerica reported that its total freight carloads for August 2011 were 72,697 units, down 0.3% from August 2010. Lower coal shipments were the main reason for the decline, the company said. Excluding coal, carloads were up 3.9%.

The company increased shipments in August 2011 in seven out of twelve commodity groups compared to August 2010. The largest increases were in pulp, paper and allied products, forest products, and food or kindred products. Pulp and paper volumes was up primarily due to higher shipments in the Southeast and Central regions. Forest Products strengthened primarily due to increased shipments in the Northeast and Central regions.

Pulp and paper volume in the month at 6,735 carloads was 13.2% higher, while forest products at 4,504 carloads was up 16.9%.

RailAmerica owns and operates short-line and regional freight railroads in North America, operating a portfolio of 43 individual railroads with approximately 7,400 miles of track in 27 US states and three Canadian provinces.

Genesee & Wyoming said its total rail traffic in August 2011 was up 15.7% from a year ago to 87,383 carloads, while traffic in the third quarter of 2011 through August was 172,582 carloads, an increase of 16%, compared to the third quarter of 2010 through August.

Pulp and paper freight in August at 8,550 carloads was up 3.9% from last year and lumber and forest products volume at 5,888 carloads was 3.2% higher.

Genesee & Wyoming owns and operates short line and regional freight railroads in the US, Australia, Canada, the Netherlands and Belgium.