US Coal Rail Growth Driven by Exports as Domestic Demand Remains Weak

AI Summary

US eastern railroads CSX and Norfolk Southern saw a rise in coal volumes in Q2 2026 driven by higher exports, despite weak domestic demand. Domestic coal shipments declined by 2% and 8%, while export volumes increased by 12% and 25%, respectively.

In the second quarter of 2026, coal volumes transported by major eastern US railroads CSX and Norfolk Southern increased by 5% and 4%, respectively. However, their domestic coal shipments fell by 2% and 8%, while export volumes rose by 12% and 25%. The figures show that growth in US coal transportation was driven mainly by ...