BTS: Value of U.S-NAFTA freight fell in June

The value of U.S-NAFTA freight moved by all modes totaled $99 billion in June, down 3.8 percent compared with the value of freight moved in June 2014, the U.S. Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) reported yesterday.

Also year over year, the value of commodities transported by truck in June rose 5.1 percent, while railed freight value fell 4.5 percent and air freight value declined 8.9 percent. Vessel freight value decreased 24.4 percent and pipeline freight value plunged 40 percent, mainly due to the lower unit price of mineral fuel shipments, according to a BTS press release.

Trucks — the most heavily used mode for moving freight from both U.S.-NAFTA partners — carried 65 percent of the freight in June. Rail remained the second largest mode by value, transporting 14.9 percent of all freight.

The value of U.S.-Canada freight decreased 10.3 percent to $52 billion in June. A recession in Canada was cited as the likely reason for the decline, according to BTS.

However, the value of U.S-Mexico freight climbed 4.4 percent to $47.1 billion in June as truck, rail and air carried more freight than the year-ago period. Freight carried by truck, rail and air rose 10.5 percent, 5.4 percent and 0.6 percent, respectively.

For a fourth consecutive month, vehicles and parts was the top commodity transported between the United States and Canada in June. About $5.8 billion, or 60.8 percent, was moved by truck, and $3.5 billion, or 36.6 percent, was moved by rail.

Vehicles and parts also was the top commodity moved between the United States and Mexico in June. Trucks moved about $4.7 billion, or 51.8 percent, and rail, $3.8 billion, or 41.7 percent.