IANA: Intermodal volumes grow 2% in Q1 2016

Domestic container loads recorded a 6.4 percent increase for the quarter, while international volumes grew 3.8 percent compared with the same 2015 period, according to data from the Intermodal Association of North America.    North American intermodal volumes inched up 2 percent in first quarter 2016 from the prior year to 4.15 million units, according to the Intermodal Association of North America’s (IANA) first quarter Intermodal Market Trends & Statistics report.
   IANA noted that although intermodal trailer volumes dropped 24.4 percent, the segment represents the smallest portion of total intermodal shipments. Domestic container loads recorded a 6.4 percent increase for the quarter, while international volumes grew 3.8 percent compared with the same 2015 period.
   Total intermodal volumes stood at 16.7 million units for the full year in 2015, a 2.8 percent increase from 2014.
   “Total container shipments, domestic and international combined, rose approximately 5 percent during the first quarter of this year,” said Joni Casey, president and CEO of IANA. “And while influenced by comparisons to last year when we were dealing with port congestion issues, we’re cautiously optimistic about this year’s growth potential.”
   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.