The August SCI, which is the most recent month for which data is available, came in at -1.79, which continued a recent stretch of declines, down compared to July’s -0.36, June’s 1.03, and May’s 24.8, which marks the second highest reading on record, with April’s 41.3 being the highest. The strong April and May readings reflected what the firm called a “huge positive spike as COVID-19 impacted freight movement.” kwhorisk@ehpub.com

Rail carloads—at 226,828—were off 7.5%, and intermodal units—at 291,935—headed up 11.3% annually. kwhorisk@ehpub.com

Even though parcel networks are already operating in Peak Season-like conditions—and really have been going back to last spring—when a vaccine arrives, it will take precedence, for parcel carriers, over delivering your holiday orders to your doorstep. As it should, no question about it. kwhorisk@ehpub.com

Entitled Rail Pulse, the joint venture’s stakeholders include: a Class I railroad, Norfolk Southern; a provider of railcar products and services, Trinity Rail; an equipment finance company focused on railcar operating leasing in North America and Europe, GATX Corporation; short-line railroad carriers Genesee & Wyoming; and a transportation service company that owns and operates a diverse network of short line railroads, terminals, ports, and mechanical shops across North America and Australia, Watco. The objective of Rail Pulse, according to its partner stakeholders, is to facilitate and accelerate the adoption of GPS and other telematics technology across the North American railcar fleet. kwhorisk@ehpub.com

As we move closer to the end of the year, Drewry reaffirms its view that manufacturers and retailers should expect ocean contract freight rates on most routes to increase – not fall – in 2021, following major market changes since the COVID-19 outbreak. It is too early in the Q4 bid season to reach exact conclusions about 2021 rate changes. However, industry analysts say the signs are obvious in the spot market for ocean transportation that carriers have gained pricing power and are managing ship capacity to their advantage. kwhorisk@ehpub.com

After stating it would decrease COVID-19-Peak Surcharges from China mainland to the United States on October 4, global freight transportation and logistics services provider UPS said this week that those surcharges will be increasing, effective October 25. UPS originally stated its intention to implement COVID-19-related Peak Surcharges in late May. kwhorisk@ehpub.com

POLA reported it handled a record 883,625 Twenty-Foot Equivalent Units (TEU), for the month, which marked a 13.3% annual increase, and POLB handled 795,580 TEU in September, for a 12.5% annual gain, setting a new record and topping the previous record of 753,081 TEU, which was set in July. kwhorisk@ehpub.com

Logistics Management Group News Editor Jeff Berman recently caught up with Richard Howells, VP of Solution Marketing for SAP Digital Supply Chain. Howells provided a detailed overview of how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted logistics and supply chain operations, as well as key aspects of inventory management, and what we may expect a year from now, among other topics. kwhorisk@ehpub.com