The third quarter intermodal growth continues a strong pattern of mode conversion, according to IANA.
Total intermodal volumes grew 5.1 percent in the third quarter versus the same period in 2013, according to the Intermodal Association of North America. Domestic and international volumes were up 5.5 percent and 4.7 percent, respectively.
Domestic container growth led the way with a 7-percent increase to 1.56 million units, down from 7.5-percent growth on a quarterly basis from the April-through-June period. Domestic volumes were greater than international volumes on a seasonally adjusted basis for the first since IANA began tracking the market.
Trailer volumes were flat in the third quarter, bringing the total growth rate for domestic equipment down to 5.5 percent, or 1.98 million containers.
Domestic container movements have posted gains every quarter since the third quarter of 2005, and IANA said tighter truck capacity and infrastructure challenges are expected to maintain this trend.
International volume was down from 9.6-percent growth in the second quarter, suggesting that shippers then were playing catch up with shipments delayed by the harsh winter, as well as early import movements ahead of West Coast negotiations on a new labor agreement for dock workers, IANA said.
