Service Update – All Modes
As reported over the past few days, information from all modes indicates that the Canadian transportation system continues to function normally.
Supply Chain Commentary – North American Rail Traffic, Week Ending April 4
Each Thursday the Association of American Railroads (AAR) publishes the carload and intermodal traffic volumes carried on the major railways in Canada, the United States and Mexico in the previous week. The FMA weekly news bulletin, also published every Thursday, includes a link to the AAR commentary and statistics.
Yesterday’s AAR report shows the dramatic decline in rail traffic from most industrial sectors. The AAR report and statistics can be found at
https://www.aar.org/news/weekly-rail-traffic-for-the-week-ending-april-4-2020/
AAR rail traffic statistics show the extensive impact of COVID-19 on the North American economy. In the week ending April 4, Canadian railroads reported carloads for the week, down 17.1%, and intermodal units, down 12.7% compared with the same week in 2019. For the first 14 weeks of 2020, Canadian railroads reported cumulative rail traffic volume of 1,976,487 carloads, containers and trailers, down 3.7%.
For the total North American rail system, traffic was down 16.1% compared to the same week last year and for the first 14 weeks of 2020, traffic was down 6.7% compared to 2019. For week 14, the statistics show a decline in all commodity groups with motor vehicles and parts down 81.6%, nonmetallic minerals down 41.2% and Petroleum and Petroleum Products down 21.4%. The chart showing detail on Canadian railways by commodity groups can be accessed at the red bar below.
FMA Government Relations
FMA has continuing communications with Transport Canada Surface Policy and Marine Policy officials and with Natural Resources Canada (NRCan). Any issues that FMA members wish to bring to the attention of of government officials can be forwarded by FMA to the appropriate people at Transport Canada or telephone calls can be arranged with officials.
FMA Office Operations
FMA staff are primarily working from home. If you need to talk with us, please send messages to me at the email address below and leave a phone number where you can be reached.
Updates Now on the Website
All the COVID-19 updates that FMA has issued are now uploaded to the website and there is a link to them on the home page at www.fma-agf.ca .
Our focus in the FMA updates continues be on supply-chain impacts of COVID-19. If members have questions where FMA may be able to help, please email your request.
Information from members will be useful in our continuing outreach to members and in our communications with the government and with the Canadian Chamber of Commerce. As always, all individual company information will be kept confidential.
