J.B. Hunt continues to expand its intermodal operations, with the latest announcement being a multi-year intermodal deal with Walmart that includes buying Walmart’s intermodal assets.

The announcement noted that J.B. Hunt has worked closely with Walmart for decades. Both companies are based in Arkansas.

The strategic service agreement increases the companies’ respective current volume and capacity commitments and enables the development of comprehensive intermodal solutions, the companies explained in a news release.

In connection with the service agreement and increased commitments, J.B. Hunt will acquire Walmart’s operational intermodal container and chassis fleets.

J.B. Hunt: Intermodal Giant

J.B. Hunt may have gotten its start in truckload, but today it’s an industry leader in converting over-the-road shipments to intermodal, which reduces a shipment’s carbon footprint by an average of 60%.

The truckload pioneer ventured into the intermodal business in 1989, moving truck trailers “piggyback” on flatbed railcars.

Today, J.B. Hunt operates one of the largest company-owned intermodal fleets in the world, J.B. Hunt Intermodal specializes in domestic and international freight movement that offers dependable, consistent and flexible shipping options, including ocean, transloading, temperature-controlled and expedited capabilities.

One bright spot in J.B. Hunt’s fourth-quarter earnings was a 6% increase in intermodal volumes, although it also reported lower revenue per load.

In 2023, J.B. Hunt and BNSF Railway launched Quantum, a premium intermodal service to convert service-sensitive highway freight to intermodal by delivering more quickly than traditional intermodal. The two also created a new service option to support cross-border freight movement to and from Mexico with coast-to-coast access in the U.S.