April 30, 2024

Intermodal Makes Gains in First Quarter

International Segment Drives Growth

CALVERTON, MD, April 30, 2024 – Total intermodal volumes rose 8.8 percent year-over-year in the first quarter of 2024, according to the Intermodal Association of North America. International containers added 18.0 percent, domestic containers improved 3.4 percent, while trailers fell 24.8 percent in the quarter.

"“International volume growth was the driver for continuing intermodal industry gains in the first quarter,” said Joni Casey, president and CEO of IANA. “Consumer spending provided a basis for definitive import increases.”

All but one of the seven highest-density trade corridors, which collectively handled more than 60 percent of total volume, were up. The South Central-Southwest climbed 25.9 percent, followed by the Southeast-Southwest at 19.1 percent. The Midwest-Southwest rallied 15.4 percent; the Northeast-Midwest, 10.8 percent, and the Intra-Southeast,10.2 percent. The Trans-Canada came in at 2.7 percent, while the Midwest-Northwest declined 3.1 percent.

Total IMC volume fell 0.4 percent year-over-year in Q1, with intermodal traffic down 3.6 percent and highway loads in positive territory by 1.6 percent.

Members of the press may request the 2023 Fourth Quarter Intermodal Quarterly report from Art Cleaver at acleaver@intermodal.org.