Source: https://www.intermodal.org/article/intermodal-finishes-fourth-quarter-down
Press Release
February 6, 2020
Intermodal Finishes the Fourth Quarter Down
Full-Year Sags on Both International and Domestic Equipment
CALVERTON, MD, February 6, 2020 Total intermodal volumes dropped 7.4 percent year-over-year in the fourth quarter of 2019, according to the Intermodal Association of North Americas Intermodal Market Trends & Statistics report. Domestic containers fell 2.7 percent from 2018, international shipments, 9.1 percent, and trailers, 21.4 percent.
We havent seen full-year declines like these since the 2009 recession. Looser trucking capacity played a role on the domestic side of intermodal, while tariffs and tough comparisons to 2018 volumes affected international, said Joni Casey, president and CEO of IANA. A comeback could be hastened by a number of factors, including further resolution to trade issues, but its difficult to predict that timing.
The seven highest-density trade corridors, which collectively handled 67.7 percent of total volume, were down 7.2 percent in the fourth quarter. Two recorded double-digit losses: the Midwest-Northwest at 15.8 percent and the South Central-Southwest at 13.0 percent. The negative numbers for the remaining corridors were more moderate: the Midwest-Southwest at 5.7 percent, the Northeast-Midwest, 5.7 percent, the Trans-Canada, 4.7 percent, the Intra-Southeast, 4.4 percent, and Southeast-Southwest, 3.4 percent.
Total IMC volume fell 8.4 percent year-over-year in Q4, with intermodal and highway loads both down. Full year volume declined 7.8 percent.
Members of the press may request the 2019 Fourth Quarter and Year-End Intermodal Market Trends & Statistics report from Art Cleaver at acleaver@intermodal.org. IANA has developed a new resource, the Intermodal Volume Analyzer available by subscription. It is the only tool of its kind with the ability to filter data by equipment type, size and ownership. A Historical Volume Analyzer as well as the aggregate rail volume data are also available by subscription and for one-time purchase. For additional information, contact Tara Mullen at tmullen@intermodal.org.