The U.S. freight-hauling sector cannot yet say it has left the recession behind, the latest data show, despite widespread reports that the economy is in a recovery.Weekly rail shipments saw ongoing declines in March from year-ago levels for key cargoes linked to the factory sector. Some segments of trucking have seen a mild overall increase in business for the first quarter, unofficial reports suggest, but not all areas are enjoying those gains.Meanwhile, latest-available air cargo figures showed a steep decline in February. That may partly reflect a shift of loads to trucks, but also shows a lack of demand for the high-value air shipments that has some airfreight firms fretting aloud about the recovery.For the full story, see the April 8 print edition of Transport Topics. Subscribe today.
Weekly rail shipments saw ongoing declines in March from year-ago levels for key cargoes linked to the factory sector. Some segments of trucking have seen a mild overall increase in business for the first quarter, unofficial reports suggest, but not all areas are enjoying those gains.Meanwhile, latest-available air cargo figures showed a steep decline in February. That may partly reflect a shift of loads to trucks, but also shows a lack of demand for the high-value air shipments that has some airfreight firms fretting aloud about the recovery.For the full story, see the April 8 print edition of Transport Topics. Subscribe today.