Intermodal Association of North America

Lost in the shuffle of recent weeks, following the election, hurricanes, and logistics-related labor issues, among other things, has been what could be viewed as signs of a groundswell, of sorts, in the form of cautious optimism, as it relates to signs of improvement for things like freight volumes and tonnage, coupled with indications of increasing positive market sentiment, too.

Total October volume, at 1,649,394 units, increased 8.9% annually, said IANA.

IANA reported that total third quarter volume, at 4,627,631 units, headed up 9.8% annually, growing for the fourth consecutive quarter, following eight straight quarters of annual declines. The first and second quarters saw annual gains of 8.8% and 7.7%, respectively.

Total September volume, at 1,514,487 units, increased 7.4% annually. Domestic containers, at 704,871, were up 2.9% annually, while trailers, at 46,996, fell 9.2%. All domestic equipment, which is comprised of domestic containers and trailers, rose 2.0%, to 751,867 units, and ISO, or international, containers, came in at 762,620 for a 13.2% annual increase.

Total August volume, at 1,585,012 units, increased 8.3% annually and topped July’s 1,528,132 units.

Total July volume, at 1,528,132 units, increased 14.0% annually. Domestic containers, at 715,659, were up 10.2% annually, while trailers, at 45,254, fell 19.8%. All domestic equipment, which is comprised of domestic containers and trailers, rose 7.8%, to 760,913 units, and ISO, or international, containers, came in at 767,219, for a 20.9% annual increase.

Domestic containers, at 2,065,293, saw a 5.0% annual increase, and trailers, at 145,981, fell 20.6% annually. All domestic equipment, which is comprised of trailers and domestic containers, came in at 2,211,274, for a 2.8% annual increase. And ISO, or international, containers, at 2,263,103, rose 13.3%.

Total June volume, at 1,474,774 units—increased 3.2% annually, which was below the annual gains, in terms of percentages, of March, April, and May, at 6.7%, 12.0%, and 8.8%.

Total May volume, at 1,543,362 units, posted an 8.8% annual gain, falling short of April’s 12.0% annual gain, and ahead of March’s 6.7% annual gain.

Total April volume, at 1,456,241 units, increased 12.0% annually, topping March’s 6.7% annual increase, and in line with February’s 14.6% annual increase.

In its “Intermodal Quarterly,” IANA reported that total first quarter intermodal volume, at 4,286,600 units, rose 8.8% annually, growing for the second consecutive quarter, following eight straight quarters of annual declines.

Total March volume, at 1,464,782 units, increased 6.7% annually, below February’s 14.6% annual increase, while topping November, December, and January, which saw gains of 3.8%, 6.4%, and 5.5%, respectively.   

Total February volume, at 1,431,368 units, was up 14.6% annually, well ahead of the previous three months of gains, for November, December, and January, at 3.8%, 6.4%, and 5.5%, respectively.   

Total January volume, at 1,390,450 units, rose 5.5% annually, trailing December’s 6.4% annual gain and topping November’s 3.8% annual gain. This three-month stretch of annual monthly gains was preceded by a series of slimming sequential, annual declines, with October down 0.4% and 4.0%, 7.5% and 9.8% annual declines, in September, August and July, respectively.

IANA reported that total fourth quarter intermodal volume, at 4,367,940 units, rose 3.1% annually, marking the first time there has been annual growth in the past nine quarters. Full-year 2023 intermodal volume, at 16,669,980 units, was off 5.9% annually.