July 29, 2024

Intermodal Maintains Momentum in Second Quarter

International Segment the Biggest Driver

CALVERTON, MD, July 29, 2024 – Total intermodal volume rose 7.9 percent year-over-year in the second quarter of 2024, according to the Intermodal Association of North America’s Intermodal Quarterly report. International containers added 13.3 percent, domestic containers improved 5.0 percent, while trailers fell 20.6 percent.

"International volume provided the biggest lift for intermodal in the second quarter. Domestic containers played a supporting role, especially important as the decline in TOFC moves continued,” said Joni Casey, president and CEO of IANA. “Federal reserve actions over the next three months will help determine whether the industry can continue this progress.”

The seven highest-density trade corridors, which collectively handled more than 60 percent of total volume, were all up in the second quarter. The Midwest-Northwest gained 21.5 percent followed by the Southeast-Southwest at 20.1 percent. The South Central-Southwest posted 13.5 percent, and the Midwest-Southwest realized 11.4 percent. The Intra-Southeast, Trans-Canada and Northeast-Midwest came in at 7.4 percent, 4.6 percent and 3.7 percent, respectively.

Total IMC volume increased 5.5 percent year-over-year in Q2, with intermodal traffic up 6.3 percent and highway loads 5.1 percent to the positive.

Members of the press may request the 2024 Second Quarter Intermodal Quarterly report from Hope Kabik at hkabik@intermodal.org.