February 02, 2023

Fourth Quarter Intermodal Volume Rounds Out 2022

Improving Operations Lay Groundwork for Recovery

CALVERTON, MD, February 2, 2023 – Total intermodal volume fell 3.6 percent year-over-year in the fourth quarter of 2022, according to the Intermodal Association of North America’s Intermodal Quarterly report. Domestic containers and trailers dropped 4.2 percent and 29.7 percent respectively, while international containers managed 0.9 percent growth. Total volume for all of 2022 showed a 3.9 percent decline.

“The past year presented challenges for intermodal. All four quarters posted negative output,” said Joni Casey, president and CEO of IANA. “The industry continues to address equipment availability, facility capacity and service with the goal of turning things around in 2023.”

All but one of the seven highest-density trade corridors, which collectively handled more than 60 percent of total volume, were down in the fourth quarter. The Trans-Canada corridor, with a 7.0 percent gain, was the exception. The Southeast-Southwest, dropped by 14.2 percent, the largest decline, followed by the South Central-Southwest which lost 6.7 percent. The Northeast-Midwest, Intra-Southeast and Midwest-Southwest were off by 4.9 percent, 3.3 percent and 3.1 percent, respectively. The Midwest-Northwest held losses to 2.6 percent.

Total IMC volume contracted 26.6 percent year-over-year in Q4, with intermodal down 17.8 percent. Highway loads fell 31.0 percent.

Members of the press may request the 2022 Fourth Quarter Intermodal Quarterly report from Hope Kabik at hkabik@intermodal.org.