Total intermodal volumes rose 1.2% year-over-year in the third quarter of 2020, according to the Intermodal Association of North America's Intermodal Quarterly report issued on Nov. 3.
Domestic containers and trailers both gained 9.8% compared to Q3 2019, while international shipments dropped 6.5%.
"Inventory replenishment and increasing e-commerce activity, along with some capacity constraints on the trucking side, have helped intermodal to turn the corner this quarter," said Joni Casey CEO of IANA. "This trend is expected to continue, but dependent on the ongoing impacts of COVID-19."
The seven highest-density trade corridors, which handled more than 60% of total volume, were collectively up 1.9% in the third quarter. Three recorded gains: the Midwest-Southwest and the Northeast-Midwest, both at 6.6%, and the South Central-Southwest at 4.9%.
The remaining four corridors showed losses. For the Trans-Canada, this was a slight 0.7%. The Intra-Southeast came in at 1.5%; the Southeast-Southwest, 5.4%; and the Midwest-Northwest at 13.6%.
Combined IMC volumes improved over the third quarter as well, with a total 8.6% increase.
Highway and intermodal loads were up 7.7% and 10.1%, respectively.
