Total intermodal freight volume rose 5.1% in the third quarter of the year compared to the same time in 2013, while domestic U.S. and international volumes individually reported gains in of 5.5% and 4.7%, respectively.
by Staff
November 10, 2014
Graphic: IANA
2 min to read
Graphic: IANA
Total intermodal freight volume rose 5.1% in the third quarter of the year compared to the same time in 2013, while domestic U.S. and international volumes individually reported gains in of 5.5% and 4.7%, respectively.
While international loads had the strongest growth in the second quarter, domestic container traffic reclaimed its place as the best-performing market segment in third quarter with a 7% increase, according to the industry group the Intermodal Association of North America. This increase represents a minimal half of a percent slip from the second quarter’s volume. However, proof of the strength of domestic intermodal is the fact that for the first time since IANA began keeping data, domestic volumes were greater than international volumes, on a seasonally adjusted basis, according to the association.
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“Both domestic and international intermodal volumes remain strong through the midpoint of this seasonal shipping peak,” said Joni Casey, president and CEO of IANA. “Domestic container movements have posted gains every quarter since the third quarter of 2005 and this trend is expected to continue as highway capacity tightens.”
On the heels of an outsized second quarter performance, international shipments recorded a 4.7% volume increase in the third quarter of the year compared to the same time in 2013. This suggests that the 9.6% growth seen in the second quarter for this segment was a result of shippers playing catch up after a harsh winter, as well as early import movements and continuing economic strength, according to IANA.
Intermodal trailer volume was flat in the third quarter, ending a three-quarter streak of gains and suggesting a weaker overall market outlook. Growth in this segment varied greatly among regions, with Eastern Canada posting a 12.3% increase and the Northwest U.S. reporting a 21.3% decrease. Trailer declines were also common in key corridors, such as the South Central-Southwest lane of the U.S., where volume dipped 5.5%. However, IANA said regional results were more encouraging in places like Eastern Canada, where trailer growth pushed overall intermodal growth above industry averages.
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Eight of the nine IANA regions recorded overall volume gains in the third quarter. Western Canada and the South Central U.S. region reported volume growth of more than 10%. Growth in the U.S. Northeast and Southeast, along with the Eastern Canada regions, was above the overall industry average of 5.1%, while the Southwest, Midwest and Mountain Central regions of the U.S. recorded increases between 2% and 4% percent. Northwest U.S. volume reflected the only regional declines, falling 9.5% from the previous year’s level.
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