Intermodal growth continues through 3Q

Like the 13 quarters immediately preceding it, the third quarter of 2005 posted another increase in intermodal volume – this time 5.6% – according to Intermodal Market Trends & Statistics, a quarterly publication of the Intermodal Association of North America (IANA).

Overall intermodal growth increased during the quarter as ongoing double-digit international gains were supported by a modest domestic container turnaround.

International volume grew in all nine IANA regions, topped with a substantial 32% gain in the Northwest region. Trailer volume declined for the third straight quarter (2.1% this time), with volume off in seven of IANA’s nine regions, but the rate of decline has slowed. This, combined with renewed domestic container growth, resulted in a slight overall domestic decline. Hurricanes Katrina and Rita only modestly affected intermodal volumes during the quarter.