Intermodal volumes rose 7.2% in the first quarter compared with the same period a year ago, the best gain since the second quarter of 2014, according to the Intermodal Association of North America.
The Intermodal Market Trends & Statistics report from IANA found that growth in the quarter was across-the-board, with domestic containers rising 6.2%, international intermodal volumes up 7.0% and trailers jumping 14.5%.
A number of factors combined to send growth higher, according to Joni Casey, CEO of Calverton, Md.-based IANA.
“Drivers for first-quarter growth were an overall strong economy, the continued growth of imports, higher fuel prices, tight over-the-road capacity and weak comparisons to lower 2017 volumes in some markets,” Casey said.
This was the third quarter in a row in which trailers led overall growth. But the increase was due to growth for 28- and 53-foot trailers with other sizes declining in the quarter.
“Volume grew stronger as the quarter progressed. March volume was up 23%. April was up 30% on a weekly basis,” said Todd Tranausky, senior transportation analyst with FTR Transportation Intelligence in Bloomington, Ind.