November 01, 2017

Intermodal Continues Positive Results in Third Quarter

CALVERTON, MD, October 31, 2017 — Total intermodal volumes climbed 6.3 percent year-over-year in the third quarter for the strongest growth rate in over three years, according to the Intermodal Association of North America’s Intermodal Market Trends & Statistics report. International intermodal volume increased by 8.2 percent; the domestic container market grew by 3.8 percent; and trailer loads had the strongest growth number at 8.4 percent.

“This quarter’s results show a continued recovery for all three intermodal segments, marking three consecutive quarters of growth, a first in six years,” said Joni Casey, president and CEO of IANA.

The seven highest-density trade corridors accounted for 62.9 percent of total volume and were up collectively 5.2 percent for the third quarter. The Eastern-Western Canada corridor, up 12.0 percent, showed the largest gain. Three other lanes exceeded 5.0 percent growth after incurring losses in Q3 2016: the South Central-Southwest at 9.2 percent; Southeast-Southwest up 7.7 percent; and the Northeast-Midwest at 5.9 percent. Two lanes registered a drop in traffic: the Intra-Southeast corridor fell 0.2 percent, while the Midwest-Northwest corridor dropped 6.1 percent.

Traffic for intermodal marketing companies grew 4.1 percent, compared to a 0.6 percent increase in the second quarter. For the first time in 2017, IMCs recorded gains in both highway and intermodal loadings. Total IMC revenue soared 11.2 percent over last year, almost twice the 6.6 percent gain in the second quarter.

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 Market Trends & Statistics report from Art Cleaver at acleaver@intermodal.org. The report features detailed analyses and reproducible graphical representations of Q3 2017 results.

As North America’s only industry trade association representing the combined interests of the intermodal freight industry, IANA connects its members with the resources and opportunities they need to stay informed, aligned and on the path to success. For more information, visit www.intermodal.org.