IANA: Intermodal growth surged in 2010
Written by William C. Vantuono, Editor-in-ChiefInternational intermodal volume surged 16.9% in the fourth quarter of 2010, helping to push overall intermodal volume up 14.7% for the year, according to a report released Tuesday by the Intermodal Association of North America (IANA).
The strong fourth quarter helped propel full-year international intermodal volume up 18.5%, which IANA says is “the highest increase since IANA began reporting intermodal statistic in 1996.”
Domestic container growth was up 8.9% in the fourth quarter, ending the year 13.3% above 2009 figures. This increase followed a 7.0% gain in 2008 and 2.9% growth in 2009. Unlike international volumes, domestic container volumes never declined during the recent recession, IANA said.
“Total domestic volume during the fourth quarter was the highest ever recorded by IANA, topping 1.6 million loads, helping make 2010 the best growth year for overall domestic business since IANA started reporting intermodal statistics,” the Calverton, Md.-based group said.
