Topic
intermodal
Logistics Modal Shift: Why Shippers Avoid Cheaper Intermodal Despite Cost Savings
Nicholas Shipe from Circle Logistics explains that in automotive logistics, shippers avoid cheaper intermodal rail because production uptime is the priority. Cost is not the only driver; manufacturers also consider America's overlooked energy advantage shaping industrial supply chains.
Intermodal Rail Volume Surges 7.2% as Carload Freight Slips in Weekly AAR Data
The Association of American Railroads reported intermodal traffic jumped 7.2% year-on-year in the week ending July 18, while carloads declined 1.2%. Total combined volume rose 3.4%. Year-to-date intermodal units are up 3.8%, and carloads up 2.9%. Coal and motor vehicles led carload declines. The data, covering U.S. railroads and North American networks, shows intermodal continuing to outpace traditional rail freight.
Logistics ITE Management Acquires NACPC, Adds 20,000 Chassis to Intermodal Platform
ITE Management L.P. announced the acquisition of North American Chassis Pool Cooperative (NACPC), adding 20,000 chassis to its fleet and expanding its intermodal platform to national scale. The deal brings ITE's total fleet to 60,000 units, giving it a roughly 30% share of cooperative pool chassis. NACPC's CEO Darren Hawkins and ITE's Jennifer Polli emphasized the strategic consolidation as a response to ongoing chassis availability bottlenecks in drayage and port operations.
Logistics U.S. Domestic Intermodal Volumes Surge 13% in June, J.B. Hunt Reports Record Q2
Domestic loaded rail container volumes in the U.S. grew nearly 13% year-over-year in June, far exceeding seasonal norms and surpassing last year's peak. J.B. Hunt reported record intermodal volumes in Q2, with loads up 10% y/y, as a 30% cost advantage over truckload drives conversion activity at levels not seen in over a decade. However, tightening drayage capacity and rising driver wages pose operational risks.
Logistics Intermodal Booms: J.B. Hunt & Prologis Earnings Signal Shift in Freight Strategy
FreightWaves reports that Q2 earnings from J.B. Hunt and Prologis reveal tight warehouse capacity driving record lease signings and a shift toward intermodal as truckload rates diverge. Shippers can cut costs by leveraging intermodal, according to analysis of the earnings reports.
Logistics U.S. Intermodal Slows as Class Is Struggle to Manage Peak Season Surge
The Association of American Railroads reported U.S. rail traffic for the week ending July 11, 2026, with total volume up 1.5% year-over-year but intermodal growth slowing to 3% from 12.9% a week earlier. Containers at the Port of Los Angeles are waiting an average of five days for rail transit, and drayage demand in Chicago hit an all-time high of 3,618 clicks in a single day.
Logistics J.B. Hunt Sees Record Intermodal Volumes, 'Massive Opportunities' in Eastern US Shift
J.B. Hunt Transport Services reported record intermodal volumes in Q2, with loads up 10% year-over-year, driven by an exodus of non-compliant drivers and a Supreme Court ruling on broker liability. The company sees 'massive opportunities' for intermodal conversion in the Eastern US, where intermodal is currently 30% cheaper than truckload. Operating income rose 32% to $259 million on revenue of $3.5 billion.
Logistics J.B. Hunt Q2 Earnings Signal Freight Market Trends Across Intermodal, Dedicated, and Last-Mile
J.B. Hunt's Q2 earnings serve as a key barometer for the freight market, highlighting conditions in intermodal, dedicated, and last-mile operations. The report underscores the impact of fuel costs, capacity tightness, and legal liabilities on logistics operations, offering critical insights for supply chain professionals.
Logistics Norfolk Southern Promotes Will DeShazor to VP of Intermodal and Automotive Operations
Norfolk Southern has promoted Will DeShazor to vice president of intermodal and automotive operations, effective immediately. DeShazor, a 21-year company veteran, previously served as AVP network optimization and has extensive terminal operations experience. He will report to Chief Operating Officer Brian Barr.
Logistics Intermodal Growth Now Driven by Domestic Freight Surge, IANA Chief Reveals
Intermodal volumes are surging with domestic freight now the primary driver, according to IANA President & CEO Anne Reinke. Supply-side factors and long-term contracts are insulating the sector from market volatility, making intermodal an 'easy button' for shippers.
Logistics STG Logistics Emerges From Chapter 11 With 90% Debt Reduction as Intermodal Demand Surges
STG Logistics announced Thursday it has exited Chapter 11 bankruptcy after completing a financial restructuring that reduced its total funded debt by approximately 90%. The intermodal provider now has new ownership, a leaner balance sheet, and $150 million in new capital from investors including Fortress, Fidelity, and Invesco. The restructuring comes as U.S. intermodal rail traffic rose 8% year-over-year in the second quarter, with domestic container volumes up by double-digit percentages, and intermodal rates now 31% cheaper than over-the-road truckload.
Logistics US Intermodal Rail Volume Surges 10% but Network Speeds Plunge to Multi-Month Lows
US intermodal rail volume surged 10% last week, according to AAR data, but network slowdowns have pushed train speeds to 10-20 month lows on major railroads. Canadian intermodal volumes are declining, creating a stark North American contrast. The growth is driven by select commodity segments, while crew staffing and fleet capacity constraints pose operational risks.
Logistics Intermodal Volume Surge Slows Big Four U.S. Rail Systems, Analyst Warns
A surge in intermodal volume since Memorial Day is slowing train speeds across the four largest U.S. Class I railroads. Analyst Rick Paterson reports that BNSF and Union Pacific are at 10-month lows, Norfolk Southern near a 20-month low, and CSX at a seven-year low as shippers flee high trucking costs.
Logistics Maersk shifts Southern California import containers from BNSF to Union Pacific Railroad
Maersk, the world's second-largest container line, has shifted most of its eastbound intermodal container traffic from the Port of Los Angeles-Long Beach from BNSF Railway to Union Pacific Railroad. Data from RailState shows UP's share rose from single digits to approximately 59% of Maersk's outbound volume, with about 1,000 TEUs per week rerouted. The shift primarily affects the Long Beach-to-Chicago and Long Beach-to-Dallas corridors.
Logistics Intermodal rail volumes surge as shippers shift from trucks amid rising rates
U.S. intermodal rail volume rose 10.9% year-over-year for the week ending June 13, according to the Association of American Railroads, as shippers increasingly switch from trucks to rail amid strengthening truck rates and an early peak season. Total combined carload and intermodal traffic increased 5.6% on North American railroads, with Canadian and Mexican railroads also posting gains in intermodal.
Logistics CSX Opens $495M Baltimore Rail Tunnel to Boost Intermodal Container Traffic
CSX and Maryland officials inaugurated a $495 million rail tunnel reconstruction at the Port of Baltimore, enabling double-stack intermodal service. The project expands clearance by 18 inches at 21 locations, streamlining freight movement along the I-95 corridor and into the Midwest. The port expects an annual container volume increase of 160,000 units and thousands of new jobs.
Logistics BNSF Wins Local Approval for $4 Billion California Rail Intermodal Hub in Barstow
The Barstow City Council approved BNSF's proposed $4 billion Barstow International Gateway (BIG) intermodal hub, covering 4,500 acres with capacity for 60 trains. The project aims to reduce truck traffic, create 20,000 jobs, and improve supply-chain efficiency, but faces environmental and community opposition.
Logistics Intermodal Rail Freight Outpaces Carload Growth as Truckload Rates and Global Factors Shift Traffic
For the week ending June 13, 2026, total U.S. rail traffic rose 7.2% year-over-year, with intermodal volume up 10.9% and carload up 2.8%. Year-to-date, intermodal increased 2.7% while carload rose 3.2%. Commodities like grain (+21.7%) and metallic ores/metals (+19.2%) led carload gains, while chemicals fell 1.1%. Rising truckload rates, global fuel costs from the Iran war, and expectations of Asian price hikes are driving intermodal growth.
Logistics Open Road Ventures Acquires 3PL Double-Stack
Open Road Ventures has acquired Double-Stack Logistics, an intermodal 3PL with a fleet of over 150 containers. This acquisition aims to expand Double-Stack's service offerings and North American presence.