IANA affirms intermodal’s 2Q strength
Written by William C. Vantuono, Editor-in-ChiefIntermodal traffic volume continues to show robust strength, according to a report released Thursday by the Intermodal Association of North America.
IANA notes volume rose 17.2% in the second quarter of 2010 compared with the comparable 2009 period. Domestic container traffic notched a 16.4% gain during the quarter, “setting a new record high,” while international container volume rose an even healthier 20.9%. “This was the first time in nearly four years that domestic container growth was surpassed by an increase in international container volume,” IANA said. Although domestic container volume grew at a somewhat slower pace than international for the first time in recent years, it was the 20th consecutive quarter of growth for domestic containers, IANA said.
Trailers also recorded a 5% gain during the quarter, but are expected to continue their long-term downward trend later this year.
Overall domestic intermodal volume rose 13.2%, a gain strong enough to erase 2008/2009 volume losses and set a new record for the highest domestic intermodal loadings in a quarter, IANA reported.
“Inventory restocking likely played a major role in driving the large increase in intermodal volume recorded this quarter. During last year’s downturn, retailers aggressively cut inventories to the point where they were so low at the beginning of 2010 that they could not support even a modestrise in consumer spending. As a result, inventory replenishment has resumed and has become a key driver of intermodal growth. Although total intermodal shipments are still below pre-recession levels, they have significantly recovered,” IANA said.
