IANA cites robust 2Q domestic container volume

Domestic and international intermodal volumes posted solid gains in the second quarter, according to a report released Tuesday by the Intermodal Association of North America.

IANA’s Intermodal Market Trends & Statistics report says domestic container volume grew 9.0% year-over-year, at a stronger pace than during the previous two individual quarters. IANA calls the rate “especially impressive considering that the highest gain recorded (16.4%) was posted in Q2 2010.”

Trailer volumes had more modest gains, rising 4.6% over 2010 levels, which IANA says “likely represents a continued equipment shift toward domestic containers.”

International intermodal volumes during the quarter increased 5.4% year-over-year, IANA says, the slowest rate since late 2009. But, the group says, “it should be noted that previous quarters benefited from weak comparisons. International shipments also would likely have been higher were it not for the disasters in Japan that reduced the volume of Japanese imports.”

And while the rate of intermodal growth slowed from the first quarter to the second quarter, it still remains in-line with many industry analyst estimates of 6%-to-8% year-over-year expansion, IANA says.