IANA: Intermodal growth streak snapped in Q2

Overall intermodal traffic in North America fell 6.1 percent in second quarter 2016, the first volume decline in 25 consecutive quarters, according to data from the Intermodal Association of North America.    North American intermodal volumes in second quarter 2016 fell 6.1 percent to 4.27 million units compared with the prior year, according to the Intermodal Association of North America’s (IANA) second quarter Intermodal Market Trends & Statistics report.
   The second quarter decline followed 25 consecutive quarters of year-over-year growth.
   Intermodal trailer volumes dropped 28.6 percent, continuing a multi-year downward trend, while international shipments fell 9.3 percent and domestic container loads grew 3.4 percent.
   “The Q2 intermodal volume numbers reflected current market conditions,” IAMA President and CEO Joni Casey said. “Year-end projections are still tracking for growth in both the domestic container and international volumes, however.”
   Total intermodal volumes stood at 16.7 million units for the full year in 2015, a 2.8 percent increase from 2014.
   Headquartered in Calverton, Md., IANA consists of over 1,000 corporate members and is the only North American industry trade association that represents the combined interests of the intermodal freight industry.