IANA: Q2 2017 intermodal volume growth strongest in years

Total intermodal volumes gained 4.5 percent during the second quarter of 2017, with international traffic being the primary driver, rising 5.6 percent, according to recent statistics from the Intermodal Association of North America (IANA).    The North American intermodal industry in the second quarter of 2017 saw the strongest growth in nearly three years, according to the latest Intermodal Market Trends and Statistics report from the Intermodal Association of North America (IANA).
   Total intermodal volumes gained 4.5 percent in the quarter, according to IANA statistics, with international traffic being the primary driver, rising 5.6 percent. Domestic containers and trailer volumes increased 3.2 percent and 3.9 percent respectively, according to the report.
   “Growth in Q2 indicates that economic conditions continue to improve for all segments of the intermodal market,” IANA President and CEO Joni Casey said. “Year-to-date performance is a healthy 3.3 percent, notwithstanding a weak year-over-year comparison for the second quarter.”
   The seven highest-density trade corridors, accounting for 63.4 percent of total intermodal volume, collectively were up 4 percent in the second quarter, with the Trans-Canada lane leading the way with an 11.4 percent expansion, while the Midwest-Northwest, down 0.6 percent, experienced the only decline.
   The remaining five corridors’ growth in Q2 ranged from 1.3 percent to 4.6 percent, according to IANA, the Maryland-based trade association that represents the intermodal freight industry.
   Of these seven lanes, five stood out in terms of directional activity, accounting for 42.9 percent of the three-month results, with the Southwest-Midwest direction taking 10.6 percent. Western Canada-Eastern Canada and the Eastern Canada-Western Canada each had 9.2 percent, while the Midwest-Southwest route added 7.4 percent. The final top-five lane, the Northeast-Midwest, accounted for 6.5 percent.