Intermodal rates continue to fall

Year-over-year rates were down again in May, after falling in April and March, according to the latest Cass Intermodal Price Index.    Intermodal rates fell 3.1 percent in May 2015 compared to May 2014, according to the latest Cass Intermodal Price Index.
   The transportation intelligence analyst said year-over-year rates were down for the third straight month after dropping 1.9 percent in April and 1.6 percent in March.
   “As lower fuel surcharges continue to affect the cost of truckload shipping (note: our truckload index does not take fuel into account), many loads are shifting from intermodal to truckload,” Cass Information Systems Inc. said in a statement. “That said, however, intermodal rates seem to mirror changes in fuel and remain competitive. Additionally, efforts to shift modes continue to be challenged by limited capacity.”