During Q4 2005, intermodal volume grew for the 15th consecutive quarter, exhibiting a 5.5% upsurge to end a stellar year, according to Intermodal Market Trends & Statistics, a quarterly publication of the Intermodal Association of North America (IANA).
While the pace of international growth showed a minor decrease - dropping to a single digit for the first time in 2005 - domestic volume increased by 1.3% for its first quarterly gain during the year.
Within the domestic market, container volume rose for a second straight quarter (up 3.2%) after a weak first half of 2005. Domestic container activity increased in six of the nine regions that IANA tracks, with double-digit gains realized in the Southeast and Northeast regions. The Midwest region posted the largest absolute growth, adding more than 15,000 domestic container loads during the quarter.
While trailer volume decreased again this quarter, its slight 0.7% drop was the smallest experienced in 2005.