August 01, 2018

Intermodal Advances with Strong Q2 Growth

CALVERTON, MD, August 1, 2018 – Total intermodal volumes advanced 6.2 percent year-over-year in the second quarter of 2018, after posting 7.2 percent growth in the first quarter, according to the Intermodal Association of North America’s Intermodal Market Trends & Statistics report. International intermodal volumes increased 4.8 percent, domestic containers 6.1 percent, and trailers led overall growth at 18.1 percent.

“Continued intermodal volume growth was driven by the domestic market during the second quarter. Higher fuel prices, tight over-the-road capacity and a strong economic performance were factors attributed to this advance,” said Joni Casey, president and CEO of IANA.

The seven highest-density trade corridors accounted for 63.2 percent of total volumes and were collectively up 6.6 percent. The Northeast-Midwest again performed the best of the seven with volumes gaining 12.8 percent. The South Central-Southwest, intra-Southeast and Midwest-Northwest lanes had growth of 8.4 percent, 7.1 percent and 6.2 percent respectively, while the trans-Canada and Midwest-Southwest came in at 4.4 percent and 4.2 percent. The Southeast-Southwest eked out 0.8 percent growth.

Intermodal Marketing Companies had another strong quarter, consistent with previous quarters, with total loads rising 10.6 percent, mostly on highway gains. The previous quarter posted 10.8 percent. Revenue grew by 28.6 percent compared to the 27.1 percent growth in Q1.

Intermodal Market Trends & Statistics is published quarterly by IANA for its members and is available on a subscription and individual copy basis for non-members. Members of the press may request a sample copy of the second quarter Intermodal Modal Market Trends & Statistics report from Art Cleaver at acleaver@intermodal.org. The report features detailed analyses and reproducible graphical representations of Q2 2018 results.

IANA’s roster of more than 1,000 corporate members includes railroads, ocean carriers, ports, intermodal truckers and over-the-road highway carriers, intermodal marketing and logistic companies, and suppliers to the industry. This roster gives IANA a unique position within the intermodal community, one which is authoritative, holistic and able to affect change that benefits everyone. IANA consistently supports the shared needs, interests, and goals of its diverse members – regardless of mode or function – with business solutions, education, and networking opportunities.