Intermodal

With the efficiency of double-stacked intermodal trains, led by blue and gold locomotives, CSXT Intermodal is adding a touch of gold to the Memphis blues.

The Intermodal Association of North America (IANA) examined the rise of e-commerce and the future of expedited intermodal at its last annual conference, and will likely address the issue in greater detail throughout the year.

The dray carrier handling your intermodal shipments is quickly becoming one of the most important assets in the supply chain, and there is no doubt that the world of drayage is becoming more complex and difficult to manage by the day.

Carloads headed up 3.9 percent to 253,670, and intermodal containers and trailers rose 1.5 percent annually to 264,761.

For December, the most recent month for which data is available, the ICI was 6.98, which was ahead of November’s 5.0 and October’s 5.26, with FTR noting that intermodal finished 2016 with decent momentum. And it added that the ICI is expected to see gains in the coming months as a result of what it called a robust rate environment, while cautioning there are also some tailwinds in the form of potential trade policy changes issued by the White House.

CSX Corporation yesterday announced that its Board of Directors has called a special meeting of shareholders to seek shareholder guidance on certain extraordinary requests of Mantle Ridge and Hunter Harrison.

Carloads were up 11.7 percent at 269,994, and intermodal container and trailers rose 3.3 percent annually to 271,480.

U.S. carload traffic was up 2.9 percent, or 28,341 carloads, annually, and on the intermodal side, U.S. container and trailer movements in January were down 1.8 percent, or 18,553 units.

While the third quarter of 2016, marked the second straight quarter total intermodal volumes declined on the heels of 25 consecutive quarters of growth, the fourth quarter returned to growth mode, albeit barely, according to data in the 2016 Fourth Quarter and Year-End Report issued this week by the Intermodal Association of North America

FTR’s Intermodal Competitive Index rose again in October to a reading of 5.26, with the updated October reading reflecting continued moderately favorable conditions affecting the intermodal segment, and while intermodal rates are still lower than a year ago, they have started to show some improvement.

Moderately favorable was how freight transportation forecasting firm FTR described the current state of the intermodal sector vis a vis to truck, according to the Intermodal Competitive Index (ICI), which the firm recently released.

Total 2016 intermodal volume was down 2.1 percent annually at 17,130,924, according to IANA.

Carloads jumped 10.7 percent compared to the same week last year at 262,496, and intermodal containers and trailers saw a 5.8 percent annual increase to 267,803.

The Canadian railroad reported earnings that missed expectations, but the real intrigue came from the announcement that CEO Hunter Harrison would retire early.

The board of directors of the Intermodal Association of North America (IANA) has elected Adriene Bailey, Chief Strategy Officer, Yusen Logistics (Americas) Inc., as its chairman for 2017.