IANA

In the first quarter edition of its Intermodal Market Trends & Statistics Report, the Intermodal Association of North America (IANA) said this week that total first quarter intermodal container and trailer movements—at 3,682,049 trailers and containers—were up 4.5 percent annually.

Speaking specifically to IANA’s reported container growth in the fourth quarter, an intermodal expert explained that while a headline in regards to a record number of domestic containers—as a data point—is true, there are also other things to keep in mind.

IANA said that 2012 was a record year for intermodal container movements at roughly 13,108,672 million, which topped 2011 by 5.9 percent and the previous high in 2007 by 9.8 percent.

Second quarter intermodal loadings—at 3,768,155—were up 3.2 percent annually, which was less than the second quarter’s 5.2 percent annual growth gain and topping the 2.9 percent annual improvement in the first quarter.

Second quarter intermodal loadings—at 3,716,321—were up 5.2 percent annually and IANA officials said it marks the best quarterly result in a year, with the annual growth rate topping the first quarter’s 2.9 percent gain.

When it comes to intermodal growth and the momentum this mode has, it is more than clear that the numbers don't lie.

First quarter intermodal loadings—3,292,291—were up 9.0 percent annually, as were the four major intermodal equipment categories tracked by IANA.

Dry van truckload carrier USA Truck has expanded its intermodal menu, announcing it recently inked a long-term contract with Class I railroad carrier BNSF Railway to move private 53-foot domestic intermodal containers.

The positive momentum for intermodal transportation, which gained momentum during the first quarter of the year, continued on a steady track in the second quarter, according to the most recent Market Trends report from the Intermodal Association of North America (IANA).