Statistics Canada reports that Canadian railways transported 32.2 million tonnes in March, down 4.5% compared with March 2023. Fewer shipments of iron ores and coal as well as continuing declines in grain were the main contributors.
The Federal Agency notes that non-intermodal freight loadings in Canada fell 5.5% year over year in March to 25.3 million tonnes, led by a sharp decline in carloadings of iron ores and concentrates which declined by 358 000 tonnes year over year.
In March 2024, intermodal shipments-mainly containers-originating in Canada also helped to offset the overall decline in loadings, rising 4.4% year over year to 3.1 million tonnes, a second consecutive increase.
Loadings from connections with American railways declined for the third consecutive month in March, down 4.7% year over year to 3.8 million tonnes.