Intermodal Containers Set All-Time Weekly Record

ith the peak shipping season in full force, intermodal container traffic for the week ended Aug. 20 was the highest week ever on record, the Association of American Railroads said.

Container volume of 179,472 units broke a record set just three weeks earlier when volume hit 177,110 containers, AAR said in its weekly report.

Total intermodal traffic, which includes trailers and containers, was up 9% over the same time last year and was the second-highest week on record.

Overall rail traffic for the week rose 2%, AAR said.

Railroad volume is considered an important economic indicator. Intermodal traffic, which tends to be higher-valued merchandise than bulk commodities, uses trains for the long haul and trucks for the shorter distance at either end of the trip.