INTERMODAL TRAFFIC PICKED UP IN 2002

INTERMODAL TRAFFIC PICKED UP IN 2002    Rail intermodal volume increased 5.7 percent in the fourth quarter of 2002 to 2.8 million containers and trailers, despite the U.S. West Coast port lockout that disrupted shipments for 10 days in October, according to the Intermodal Association of North America.
   Domestic container volume increased 9.7 percent to 695,518 loadings, trailers gained 1.8 percent to 619,492 loadings and international shipping containers increased 5.6 percent to 1.4 million loadings.
   For all of 2002, intermodal volume grew 5.8 percent to 10.9 million containers shipped. International container volume rose 8.4 percent to 5.8 million, according to quarterly figures released last week.
   The Midwest/Northwest corridor grew the most at 17.9 percent, driven by eastbound international containers. Trans-Canada traffic grew 20.8 percent, boosted by a strong Canadian economy and the port lockout in the U.S., IANA said in a statement.