CN closes deal on Iowa railway

CN closes deal on Iowa railway

The agreement will link about 275 track miles to the carrier's U.S. rail network

Canadian National Railway (CN) has inked a deal to buy an Iowa railway and connect it to its U.S. rail network, the company announced Dec. 6.

Container ships pass through locks on the Panama Canal in this file photo. (CIA.gov)

Panama Canal drought to delay grain ships well into 2024

Wait times more than doubled between October and late November, prompting some shippers to reroute

Bulk grain shippers hauling crops from the U.S. Gulf Coast export hub to Asia are sailing longer routes and paying higher freight costs to avoid vessel congestion and record-high transit fees in the drought-hit Panama Canal, traders and analysts said.

(MiCanalDePanama.com)

Baltic Dry Index at 18-month high

Restrictions at the Panama Canal and congestion at Brazilian ports behind rate hike

The Baltic Dry Index (BDI), a major indicator of bulk shipping rates, has climbed sharply higher over the past few weeks to hit its highest level in 18 months.