Domestic Intermodal Gains Accelerate

According to an industry report released by the Intermodal Association of North America, domestic intermodal volume in the second quarter achieved its highest growth rate since Q2 2004.


During the quarter, total domestic intermodal volume rose a respectable 5.4 percent over 2007 figures, according to Intermodal Market Trends & Statistics, a comprehensive intermodal volume data report published by IANA. It was the 11th straight quarter that domestic container volume has posted year-over-year gains.

Trailer volume increased 1 percent during the quarter, while domestic containers posted an 8.1 percent gain.

Trailer growth was driven by an 11 percent gain in 53-foot trailers and a 5 percent gain in 48-foot trailers. Domestic container increases during the quarter were fueled by an upsurge in 53-foot containers, which now account for 91 percent of total domestic container volume.

Domestic's performance was still not able to counter the continued decline of international volume. Sluggish consumer spending and its affect on ISO container traffic pulled down international container volume 5.9 percent over the same period in 2007. Total intermodal volume is only down a recoverable 1.9 percent from last year and has half a year to retreat from negative territory.