IANA: Tariff deadlines drove strong intermodal results in Q1

Total intermodal volume rose 6.3% year over year in first-quarter 2025, the Intermodal Association of North America (IANA) reported yesterday.

International containers increased 8.5%, domestic containers improved 5.6% and trailer volume fell 18.2%, IANA officials said in a press release.

“Tariff deadlines drove intermodal results in the first quarter,” said IANA President and CEO Anne Reinke. "Growth is far less certain going forward, however, as the effects of trade policies, including higher costs, lower sales and reduced competitiveness, start to be felt.”

All but one of the seven highest-density trade corridors, which collectively handled more than 60% of total volume, posted increases. The Midwest-Northwest climbed 28%, followed by the Midwest-Southwest at 13.4%. The Intra-Southeast came in at 10.7%, and the South Central-Southwest at 10.5%. The Trans-Canada and Southeast-Southwest expanded 8% and 5.4%, respectively.

The one decline was the Northeast-Midwest corridor, which fell 4.5%. Total IMC volume fell 6% in the quarter compared to a year ago, with highway traffic down 15.2% and intermodal loads in positive territory by 0.7%.