November 4, 2005 11:45 AM, EST

Third-Quarter Intermodal Rate Shows Growth, IANA Says

Click here to write a Letter to the Editor.

ntermodal growth rose 5.6% in the third quarter, making it the 14th straight quarter of growth, the Intermodal Association of North America said Friday.

Overall intermodal growth increased during the quarter as ongoing double-digit international gains were supported by a modest domestic container turnaround, the group said in a statement.

Trailer volume fell 2.1%, but domestic containers rose 1.2%, international containers jumped 10.2% and domestic equipment fell 0.3%, IANA said.

International volume grew in all nine IANA regions, topped with a substantial 32% gain in the Northwest region.

Trailer volume declined for a third straight quarter, with volume off in seven of IANA’s nine regions, but the rate of decline slowed. This, combined with renewed domestic container growth, resulted in a slight overall domestic decline.

Hurricanes Katrina and Rita only modestly affected intermodal volumes during the quarter, IANA said.