Domestic intermodal had its best performance since the second quarter of 2004, according to the Intermodal Association of North America (IANA).
Domestic containers led the way with a 10.5% gain, the strongest quarter since 1999. Moderate domestic trailer volumes pushed overall domestic volume ahead 6.7% in the third quarter of 2008.
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Year-to-date volumes rose 4.7% overall, according to Intermodal Market Trends and Statistics, a report published by IANA.
A 16.1% surge in 53-foot containers pushed domestic container volumes. Domestic container gains were particularly strong in the Midwest-Northeast corridor, noted the report. Eastbound shipments in the corridor were up 15% and Westbound shipments increased 6%.
Weak consumer spending depressed container imports and overall international results, said the report. International volumes declined 6.1% in the third quarter, compared with the same period a year earlier. Year-to-date, international volume is down 5.7%.
