US intermodal loadings in Q4 2009 decrease 6.4pc

INTERMODAL loadings in the United States fell 6.4 per cent in the fourth quarter year on year to 3,266,729, according to the latest report from the Intermodal Association of North America (IANA).

During the quarter under review, US domestic containers rose by nine per cent year on year to 1,068,754, while all domestic equipment increased by 0.8 per cent to 1,484,209.

On the other hand, trailer volume fell 15.4 per cent during the fourth quarter to 415,455, and international (ISO) containers registered a year-on-year decline of 12.3 per cent at 1,574,662.

IANA vice president Tom Malloy said trailer activity was down 22.1 per cent for the whole of 2009 at 1,604,555, compared to the previous year, reported Massachusetts-based Logistics Management. This indicates that trailers are starting to become the least preferred type of equipment in the marketplace, he said.

"Containers represent the 'lion's share' of our domestic volume, with 48-foot containers somewhat [moving] their way out and 53-foot containers moving more freight," Mr Malloy was quoted as saying by Logistics Management.

"Twenty-eight foot trailers and containers were also down 23 per cent year over year. This was not only accounted for by lower LTL volumes, but also because of package and parcel shipments were down, indicating that parcel carriers moved more road freight than intermodal," he said.

According to Mr Malloy, US domestic intermodal volumes since the start of 2010 are "holding very strong." The report went on to say that "based on dialogue with IANA member companies, he said that a three to four per cent increase in domestic container activity, and a total 2.5 to three per cent overall increase is possible following up on the nine per cent fourth quarter gain and a 34.8 per cent fourth quarter year over year gain in 48/53-foot containers."

International numbers remain low, "with retailers feeling inventory levels have dipped to a level that they are somewhat uncomfortable with and have started up replenishment processes, which drove some late fourth quarter international activity," the report said. Mr Malloy expects over the next few months that there will be a "chance some moderate month over month gains could occur on the international side," the report said.

In 2009, total intermodal loadings decreased by 14.6 per cent compared to the previous year to 11,670,350. Within this total, all domestic equipment was down 5.8 per cent year on year at 5,565,035, while international containers declined 21.2 per cent to 6,105,315.

Source: www.schednet.com