Intermodal Market Trends & Statistics - 4th Quarter 2014 - (Page 1)

Intermodal Market Trends & Statistics Intermodal Market Trends Statistics Quarterly Analysis of Industry Activities Quarterly Analysis of Industry Activities i 2014 Fourth Quarter and Year-End Report In a year of modest economic growth and numerous network challenges, intermodal again was a major driver of rail industry business and an important "mode" of transportation for an expanding legion of shippers. While the industry faced more volatility than normal during 2014, the final results were still quite strong. Domestic containers continued to lead growth, while international, still the industry's largest segment, improved sharply in 2014. With intermodal performing so well in a difficult year, it is certainly well positioned to gain more strength in 2015. Following are the top10 stories of 2014 as told by the industry data that is collected and analyzed by IANA:  Certainly the top 2014 story was the industry's overall performance in a difficult year. Despite a harsh winter, slowing network velocity and West Coast port labor issues, compounded by strong growth across most rail markets, intermodal rose to the challenge. Overall growth improved from 4.6% in 2013 to 4.8% in 2014, confirming intermodal's long-term value to both the global and domestic supply chain.  For the first time in three years, all three intermodal segments - international, domestic containers and trailers - advanced compared to the prior year. This supported the strongest overall intermodal growth since 2011.  International intermodal delivered its biggest gain since the recovery from recession in 2010. At 4.4%, the rate of international growth was nearly twice the pace of the previous three years. 2014 international loadings were just 4% shy of their pre-recession peak in 2006.  Trailer volume rose for the first time in three years, up 2.9%, despite ongoing volatility, having decreased by 35% over the past ten years.  Growth was widespread geographically, with eight of the nine regions adding loads in 2014. The one Fourth Quarter/Year-End 2014  © IANA 2015 exception was the Northwest, which continues to face long-term challenges. It saw 2014 loadings plunge 8.1% from the prior year, and 30.8% below its pre-recession peak in 2005.  The many challenges to the intermodal network also changed seasonal shipping patterns from their normal path, particularly in the international segment. Traditionally, either October or August produce the highest international volume. In 2014 October was again the international peak, while August was just the fifth highest month of the year for international volume. This reflected freight pushed into the second quarter after the tough winter and ahead of pending port labor issues.  In an often repeated story, domestic containers lead intermodal growth for a fourth straight year, and for seven of the last eight years. Total domestic container volume has doubled over the past ten years.  For the fourth straight year, all nine regions posted gains in the big box segment. In 2014, three regions - the Southeast, South Central and Mountain Central - saw double-digit gains in domestic container loadings. 1

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Intermodal Market Trends & Statistics - 4th Quarter 2014

2014 Intermodal Recap
4Q 2014 Rail Volume
Key Corridor Results
Regional Traffic
Seasonally Adjusted Intermodal Volume
4Q 2014 IMC Results
Intermodal Long-Term Trends
Intermodal Outlook
Trucking Industry Outlook
U.S. and Canadian Domestic Economies
Monthly Traffic by Type
Monthly Traffic by Ownership
Eastern Canada
Mountain Central
Midwest
Northeast
Northwest
South Central
Southeast
Southwest
Western Canada
Major Intermodal Corridors
Notes to Report

Intermodal Market Trends & Statistics - 4th Quarter 2014