International intermodal growth accelerated during the second quarter, posting its best quarterly result in a year and improving from Q1's 2.9% uptick, according to the Intermodal Association of North America's Intermodal Market Trends & Statistics report.


The quarter was international's highest Q2 in absolute terms since 2008.

Port-released figures suggest that U.S. container imports gained nearly 4% during the quarter. Increases were closer to 3% on the West Coast and nearer to 5% on the East Coast.

Canadian container import volumes continued to make great strides, particularly on the West Coast, where imports through the Ports of Prince Rupert and Vancouver posted nearly 20% year-over-year gains in the quarter.

Domestic container volume increased 12.5% year-over-year in Q2, with growth only slightly under the strong 14.9% gain posted by domestic containers last quarter.

"Growth at this pace is exceptional during any quarter, but this gain is even more remarkable due to the softening economic climate," said IANA President and CEO Joni Casey.