Containers up/trailers down

May 14, 2009
The Intermodal Assn. of North America (IANA) has released its Q1 numbers for container and trailer volumes

The Intermodal Assn. of North America (IANA) has released its Q1 numbers for container and trailer volumes. Domestic container volumes were the bright spot in the report, showing a gain of .1% in Q1 of 2009 as compared to Q1 of 2008—marking an increase IANA called “impressive,” given the current economic climate.

Ffity-three ft containers continued to show even stronger gains, posting a 4.6% increase in the same period. According to IANA, some of the strength in the 53-ft container sector may be due to a shift toward “transloading” of international freight-- where freight must be transferred from one mode of transportation to another during shipment.

Domestic trailer volume, on the other hand, continued to slide, showing a 20.6% drop in Q1 as compared to Q1 of 2008. International volume also declined overall, plunging 22.7% during the first quarter – with declines reported in every IANA region. The Western Canada region saw the smallest international decline of 11.2%, while the Northwest region saw a substantial 32.9% drop in volume – the largest during the quarter.

While the small increase in domestic container volume during the quarter was encouraging, noted IANA, it could not compensate for plummeting international and trailer volumes. The end-result for Q1 was a total intermodal volume decline of 16.3%, the largest quarterly drop recorded by the association.

About the Author

Wendy Leavitt

Wendy Leavitt joined Fleet Owner in 1998 after serving as editor-in-chief of Trucking Technology magazine for four years.

She began her career in the trucking industry at Kenworth Truck Company in Kirkland, WA where she spent 16 years—the first five years as safety and compliance manager in the engineering department and more than a decade as the company’s manager of advertising and public relations. She has also worked as a book editor, guided authors through the self-publishing process and operated her own marketing and public relations business.

Wendy has a Masters Degree in English and Art History from Western Washington University, where, as a graduate student, she also taught writing.  

Sponsored Recommendations

Tackling the Tech Shortage: Lessons in Recruiting Talent and Reducing Turnover

Discover innovative strategies for recruiting and retaining tech talent in the trucking industry at our April 16th webinar, where experts will share insights on competitive pay...

Stop Sweating Temperature Excursions

Advanced chemical indicators give you the peace of mind that comes from reliable insights into your supply chains. Compromised shipments can be identified the moment they arrive...

Stop Sweating Temperature Excursions

Advanced chemical indicators give you the peace of mind that comes from reliable insights into your supply chains. Compromised shipments can be identified the moment they arrive...

How Electric Vehicles Help You Prolong the Life of Your Fleet

Before adopting electric vehicles for commercial/government fleets, prioritize cost inquiries. Maintenance is essential; understand the upkeep of EV fleets. Here’s what you need...

Voice your opinion!

To join the conversation, and become an exclusive member of FleetOwner, create an account today!