For release February 7, 2008
Contact: RIP WATSON
Director of Communications & Public Relations
voice (301) 982-3400, ext. 329
fax (301) 982-4815

Intermodal Volume Slows Amid Economic Weakness

CALVERTON, MD, February 7, 2008—Intermodal volume in the fourth-quarter was helped by a 2.7 percent rise in domestic traffic, which was achieved at a time when the U.S. economy was slumping.

Total fourth-quarter volume was 3,521,945, or 1.6 percent below the same quarter of 2006 as a result of a 4.7 percent decline in international traffic that was linked to slowing imports. The Intermodal Market Trends & Statistics report published by the Intermodal Association of North America (IANA) showed that fourth-quarter domestic container volume rose 9.5 percent, a performance that resulted in a full-year 2007 increase in domestic traffic to 5,743,472 units.

The volume increase reflected a solid performance by Intermodal Marketing Companies (IMCs), whose loads rose 3.7 percent. The increases resulted in improved volume, revenue and revenue per load in every IMC category during 2007, the first increase in all of those categories since 2000.

“The growth in domestic intermodal was very encouraging at a time when other freight traffic volume has been struggling,” said Tom Malloy, vice president of member services and business development for IANA. “That growth affirms the continuing value of intermodal service and sets the stage for a return to international volume increases when import traffic rebounds.”

Fourth Quarter 2006/2007 Intermodal Volume Comparisons

Equipment Types Q4 2006 Q4 2007 Change
Trailers 605,222 563,639 -6.9%
Domestic Containers 858,004 939,469 +9.5%
All Domestic Equipment 1,463,226 1,503,108 +2.7%
ISO Containers 2,117,349 2,018,837 -4.7%
Total 3,580,575 3,521,945 -1.6%

For the full year, intermodal volume was the second-best ever, reaching 14.1 million units, or 1.1 percent below the record of 14.2 million set in 2006

Full Year 2006/2007 Intermodal Volume Comparisons

Equipment Types 2006 2007 Change
Trailers 2,432,928 2,145,446 -11.8%
Domestic Containers 3,292,579 3,598,006 +9.3%
All Domestic Equipment 5,725,507 5,743,472 +0.3%
ISO Containers 8,508,567 8,335,480 -2.0%
Total 14,234,074 14,078,952 -1.1%

Intermodal Market Trends & Statistics is published quarterly by IANA and is available on a subscription and individual copy basis. For subscription information, or if you are an accredited journalist seeking a sample copy of the third quarter 2007 issue of Intermodal Market Trends & Statistics, please contact Rip Watson either by email at rip.watson@intermodal.org or phone at (301) 982-3400, ext. 329.

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.

Intermodal Association of North America, Suite 1100, 11785 Beltsville Drive, Calverton, MD 20705 http://www.intermodal.org/