North American intermodal freight was up 9.8 percent in the third quarter

November 15, 2024

The Intermodal Association of North America reports that total intermodal volume rose 9.8 percent year-over-year in the third quarter of 2024.

International containers added 15.4 percent, domestic containers improved 6.0 percent, while trailers fell 11.0 percent.

All the seven highest-density trade corridors, which collectively handled more than 60 percent of total volume, were up. The Southeast-Southwest climbed 25.9 percent, followed by the South Central-Southwest at 23.8 percent. The Midwest- Northwest rallied 23.2 percent, while the Midwest-Southwest, the highest volume corridor, advanced 17.0 percent.

The Trans-Canada came in at 7.4 percent, and the Intra-Southeast registered 2.7 percent. The Northeast-Midwest eked out 0.4 percent.

Total IMC volume increased 2.8 percent year-over-year in Q3, with intermodal traffic up 9.5 percent and highway loads down 5.8 percent.

Source: Intermodal Association of North America