Intermodal volumes have another strong month in May, reports IANA

May intermodal volumes posted another month of strong gains, according to data provided to LM by the Intermodal Association of North America (IANA).

Total May volume, at 1,543,362 units, posted an 8.8% annual gain, falling short of April’s 12.0% annual gain, and ahead of March’s 6.7% annual gain.

Domestic containers, at 708,984, were up 6.4% annually, while trailers, at 49,796, fell 19.9%. All domestic equipment, which is comprised of domestic containers and trailers, rose 4.2%, to 758,780 units, and ISO, or international, containers, came in at 784,582, for a 13.7% annual increase.

On a year-to-date basis through May, IANA reported that total intermodal volume is up 9.4% annually, to 7,286,203 units. Domestic containers are up 4.7% annually, to 3,368,442, and trailers were down 22.6%, to 242,382. All domestic equipment, at 3,610,824, is up 2.3%. ISO containers, at 3,675,379, rose 17.4%.

This solid growth comes on the heels of IANA’s recently-issued “Intermodal Quarterly,” which observed that reported that total first quarter intermodal volume, at 4,286,600 units, rose 8.8% annually, growing for the second consecutive quarter, following eight straight quarters of annual declines. Domestic containers, at 1,993,687, saw a 3.4% annual increase, and trailers, at 144,342, fell 24.8% annually. All domestic equipment, which is comprised of trailers and domestic containers, came in at 2,138,029, eking out a 0.9% annual increase. And ISO, or international, containers, at 2,148,571, rose 18.0%.

IANA explained in the report that despite high interest rates, moderating—but lingering—inflation, and fears of a consumer spending and industrial production pullback, the U.S. economy remained surprisingly resilient in the first quarter, coupled with the March ISM Manufacturing Index growing in March, for the first time since September 2022. And it added that consumer spending “continued to work down bloated inventories, driving imports in the face of trade disruptions in the Red Sea and at the Panama Canal.”

It also noted that first quarter volumes moved up in what it called a typical quarterly seasonal pattern, pointing to an August or September peak, adding that the upward momentum was mainly driven by a surge in West Coast imports and leading to an increase in international container traffic.

IANA President and CEO Joni Casey told LM that strong demand for consumer products during the first quarter was the biggest driver for growth, translating to increased international import volumes, as well as domestic transloads of these items.

When asked about intermodal volumes, to date, in the second quarter, Casey said it’s too early to tell, but there are no signs of significantly adverse trends. 

“Volumes seem to be holding fairly steady so far,” she said.

And she also noted that 2024 Peak Season prospects are promising.

“Volumes are trending towards a normal August/September peak season, in line with the U.S. import forecast that the National Retail Federation has issued,” noted Casey. “If OTR (over the road) capacity tightens as some expect it will, we could see a longer and slightly stronger peak period.”