IANA: Intermodal volumes in Q4 help annual growth reach 4.8 percent

According to preliminary data from the Intermodal Association of North America, all intermodal segments reported gains with domestic containers leading the way.    According to the Intermodal Association of North America’s (IANA) fourth quarter and year-end Intermodal Market Trends & Statistics, intermodal volume increased 4.8 percent in 2014.
   IANA attributed the growth, the largest year-over-year advance since 2011, to significant mid-year gains and across-the-board growth in Q4. Volumes in Q1 were down due to especially harsh winter conditions.
   The domestic container segment lead all others in 2014, increasing 5.7 percent year-over-year, while the international container segment almost doubled its growth pace from the last three years, increasing 4.4 percent. Year-over-year trailer volumes increased 2.9 percent.
   In the fourth quarter, overall intermodal volumes grew by 3 percent growth. Domestic containers once increased 5.1 percent from the third quarter of 2014, while international containers were up 2.1 percent and trailers 0.1 percent from the previous quarter.
   “Intermodal performed well, despite industry-wide challenges,” said Joni Casey, president and CEO of IANA. “For the first time in four years, international, domestic container, and trailer market segments all posted year-over-year growth. And volume gains were widespread geographically, with eight out of nine regions recording increases during 2014.”
   IANA is North America’s only intermodal industry trade association. It represents the combined interests of over 1,000 diverse companies that are critical to the intermodal freight industry.