North American Freight Figures Jump Year on Year

US – The Department of Transportation advises us that surface freight transportation between the United States and its North American neighbours, Canada and Mexico, was 15.7 percent higher in May 2011 than in May 2010, totalling $77.3 billion. The figures are calculated by the Governments Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS), a part of the Research and Innovative Technology Administration.

The value of U.S. surface transportation trade with Canada and Mexico, the United States’ North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) partners, in May 2011 rose 61.5 percent in two years from May 2009, but has still only risen 4.3 percent above the early recession level of May 2008, a similar picture to other modes of world shipping such as bulk and container ocean freight movements in many regions.

The value of U.S. surface transportation trade with Canada and Mexico in May increased by 17.2 percent when compared to May 2006, and also increased by 55.9 percent when compared to May 2001, a period of 10 years. Imports in May were up 46.4 percent since May 2001, while exports were up 68.5 percent.

For those interested in bald statistics surface transportation includes freight movements by truck, rail, pipeline, mail, Foreign Trade Zones, and other. In May, 84.8 percent of U.S. trade by value with Canada and Mexico moved via land, 11.1 percent moved by vessel, and 4.1 percent moved by air. U.S.-Canada and U.S.-Mexico surface transportation trade both increased compared to May 2010 with U.S.-Canada reaching $46.3 billion, a 15.1 percent increase, and U.S.-Mexico reaching $31.0 billion, a 16.6 percent increase.