Value of cargo moved by rail between U.S., NAFTA partners increased last year

In 2013, railroads, trucks and and pipelines registered a higher value for the cargo they moved between the United States and Canada and Mexico compared with 2012, while air carriers and vessels transported a lower amount of freight by value, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Bureau of Transportation Statistics.

Overall, the five modes moved cargo valued at $1.14 trillion between the nations last year, up 2.6 percent compared with 2012's total trade value of $1.11 trillion. Trade value for cargo moved by rail increased 4.6 percent year over year, while freight value moved by trucks and pipelines rose 2.2 percent and 7.7 percent, respectively. Trucks carried 59.7 percent of the cargo by value, followed by railroads at 15.4 percent, air carriers at 9.1 percent, pipelines at 7.3 percent and vessels at 3.8 percent.

The value of freight moved between the United States and Canada in 2013 reached $632.3 billion, up 2.6 percent compared with 2012. The top commodity categories were mineral fuels valued at $134.1 billion and vehicles and vehicle parts (other than railway vehicles and parts) valued at $66.1 billion. Trucks carried 54.4 percent of the cargo by value, followed by railroads at 16.7 percent, pipelines at 12.6 percent, vessels at 5.7 percent and air carriers at 4.5 percent.

The value of freight moved between the United States and Mexico in 2013 totaled $506.6 billion, up 2.6 percent. The top commodity categories were electrical machinery valued at $94.2 billion and mineral fuels valued at $50.3 billion. Trucks carried 66.2 percent of the freight by value, followed by railroads at 13.8 percent, vessels at 13.3 percent, air carriers at 3.0 percent and pipelines at 0.8 percent.