October 29, 2021

Third Quarter Intermodal Volumes Drop After Year of Growth

SUPPLY CHAIN DISRUPTIONS TAKE A TOLL

CALVERTON, MD, Oct. 29, 2021 – Total intermodal volumes fell 2.9 percent year-over-year in the third quarter of 2021, according to the Intermodal Association of North America’s Intermodal Quarterly report. International containers gained a slight 0.9 percent from 2020; domestic shipments, on the other hand, lost 5.7 percent; and trailers, 11.2 percent.

“Despite the various headlines on supply chain disruptions, the third quarter volume loss was small relative to the size of this year’s earlier gains and in comparison to the previous 15 months of continuous gains,” said Joni Casey, president and CEO of IANA.

The seven highest-density trade corridors, which collectively handled more than 60 percent of total volume, showed mixed results in the third quarter. The Southeast-Southwest was up 9.2 percent, followed by the Midwest-Northwest at 6.8 percent and the Trans-Canada at 6.7 percent. The South Central-Southwest tumbled 8.7 percent; the Intra-Southeast posted a 4.6 percent loss; and the Midwest-Southwest dropped 3.1 percent. The Northeast-Midwest came in at 1.7 percent to the negative.

Total IMC volume rose 10.6 percent year-over-year in Q3, with intermodal down 4.7 percent and highway loads up 20.8 percent.

Members of the press may request the 2021 Third Quarter Intermodal Quarterly report from Art Cleaver at acleaver@intermodal.org.

About IANA

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. For more information, visit www.intermodal.org.