Breaking

Intermodal Volumes Surge on Diesel Costs and Truck Scarcity

Intermodal rail traffic climbed 10.8% year-over-year in week 41, driven by elevated diesel fuel prices and limited truck capacity forcing shippers toward rail alternatives, according to the Association of American Railroads. North American intermodal volumes posted consecutive weeks of double-digit gains, building on roughly 10-11% growth the prior week. Total North American rail traffic increased 7% year-over-year. The volume acceleration is straining drayage infrastructure. JB Hunt noted recruitment challenges for drivers moving containers to and from intermodal terminals. Most carload commodity segments advanced, with primary metals jumping approximately 25%, buoyed by coke traffic up 15.4%, metallic ores up 7%, and iron and steel scrap up 9.1%. Chemicals and petroleum gained 2.6% weekly. Primary forest products declined 10%. Stripping out coal and grain, carload growth reached 4%, signaling broad industrial demand.