Intermodal Closes Fourth Quarter Strong

Last week the Intermodal Association of North America reported that total intermodal volume gained 7.5% year-over-year in the fourth quarter of 2024.

While trailers dropped 6.2%, domestic container and international container originations grew 6.5% and 9.6%, respectively. 

For the year, total volume rose 8.5%.

All but one of the seven highest-density trade corridors, which collectively handled more than 60% of total volume, were up in the fourth quarter.

From a geographic perspective the volumes were as follows: 

• The Southeast-Southwest jumped 23.5%.
• The Midwest-Southwest increased 19.4%.
• The South Central-Southwest gained 18.8%.
• The Midwest-Northwest rose 9.9%.
• The Trans-Canada delivered 4.9% more volume,
• The intra-Southeast added 2.3%.
• The Northeast-Midwest recorded the only loss, 1.6%.

Total IMC volume rose 4.8% year-over-year in Q4, with intermodal up 12.2% and highway traffic down 4.9%.