WASHINGTON: Rail shipments of crude oil declined 44.1 percent in the first quarter compared to a year ago, according to rail traffic data released this week by the Association of American Railroads.
U.S. railroads originated 63,261 carloads of crude oil in the first quarter of 2016, down 49,828 carloads or 44.1 percent from the first quarter of 2015 and down 21,664 carloads or 25.5 percent from the fourth quarter of 2015.
Philadelphia area oil refiners, which had been a major destination for domestic crude delivered by rail, say they have switched to more imported crude delivered by ships since oil prices declined over the last year.
