Fourth-Quarter Intermodal Shipments Rise 5.5%, IANA Says

February 14, 2006 11:05 AM, EST

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ntermodal growth rose 5.5% in the fourth quarter, marking the 15th straight quarter of growth, the Intermodal Association of North America said late Monday.

While the pace of international growth showed a minor decrease — dropping to a single digit for the first time for the year — domestic volume rose 1.3% for its first quarterly gain of the year.

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 0.7% from the fourth quarter of 2004, while domestic containers rose 3.2%, IANA said.

Containers jumped 8.9%, while domestic equipment rose 1.3% compared with a year earlier.

The Midwest region posted the largest absolute growth, adding more than 15,000 domestic container loads during the quarter, the group said.