Sales of secondhand ships used to haul commodities such as iron ore, coal, grain and fertilizer have hit a seven-year high in 2016 as the industry creeps out of an eight-year downturn that has sunk several fleets of shippers.

Consumer confidence rose in November to the highest level since July 2007 on increased optimism about the U.S. labor market and economy, according to a report Nov. 29 from the New York-based Conference Board.

U.S. trailer orders climbed above 21,000 in October for the second-highest total of the year, as analysts said the cycle is stabilizing after the tremendous surge in orders during the previous two years.

Shippers of bulk freight expect prices to rise on railroads next year, but they could have greater control in contract negotiations because of competition from trucking with intermodal rail, according to a Nov. 16 report from RBC Capital Markets.

Aggressively deploying zero and near-zero emissions trucks and cargo-handling equipment is one of the core strategies proposed by the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, California, in the next version of the San Pedro Bay Ports Clean Air Action Plan. 

Sentiment among American consumers increased in the week after the presidential election to reach the highest level since April 2015 on more upbeat views about the economy, figures from the weekly Bloomberg Consumer Comfort Index showed Nov 17.

Two CSX Corp trains collided and derailed in central Florida early on Nov. 16, injuring two crew members, the company said.

U.S. preliminary net trailer orders for October rose above 21,000 units, marking a rebound, analysts said.

October numbers continue to show strong growth at most major U.S. ports, except for the Port of Long Beach, California, which continues to suffer from the Hanjin Shipping Co. bankruptcy.