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Printer FriendlyVice President, Member Services & Business Development
voice (301) 982-3400, ext. 328
fax (301) 982-4815
Intermodal Pace Quickens in Early 2006
Domestic Rebound Picks Up Steam in Q1
CALVERTON, MD, May 8, 2006 —Intermodal volume strengthened in the first quarter, growing 6.3%, according to Intermodal Market Trends & Statistics, a quarterly publication of the Intermodal Association of North America (IANA). Growth improved from the fourth quarter’s 5.5% pace. The first quarter gain marked a solid four years of advances that started in the second quarter of 2002. During this period, quarterly volume increased by more than one-half million loads.
First Quarter 2005/2006 Intermodal Volume Comparisons
| Equipment Types | Q1 2005 | Q1 2006 | Change |
| Trailers | 610,107 | 608,181 | -0.3% |
| Domestic Containers | 723,983 | 784,758 | +8.4% |
| All Domestic Equipment | 1,334,090 | 1,392,939 | +4.4% |
| ISO Containers | 1,837,566 | 1,977,716 | +7.6% |
| Total | 3,171,656 | 3,370,655 | +6.3% |
Domestic intermodal increases accelerated in the first quarter, adding 4.4% compared to the fourth quarter’s 1.3% gain. Most this gain was in containers, up 8.4%. As overall domestic container gains strengthened, the shift to longer 53-foot boxes continued. Fifty-three foot container volume increased 31%, while 48-foot container loads fell. International gains continued in the first quarter, though at a somewhat slower pace than 2005.
Accredited journalists may obtain a sample copy of the Q1 2006 issue of Intermodal Market Trends & Statistics by contacting Rip Watson by e-mail at rip.watson@intemodal.org or phone at (301) 982-3400, ext. 329. Intermodal Market Trends & Statistics is produced quarterly by IANA and is available on a subscription and individual copy basis. For subscription information, please contact Tara Mullen at ext. 366 or tara.mullen@intermodal.org.
IANA is North America's leading industry trade association representing the combined interests of the intermodal freight industry. IANA's membership includes railroads, water carriers and stacktrain operators; port authorities; intermodal truckers and over-the-road highway carriers; intermodal marketing and logistics companies; and suppliers to the industry such as equipment manufacturers, intermodal leasing companies and consulting firms. IANA's associate members include shippers, academic institutions, government entities and non-profit associations.
