More freight riding the rails

Record fuel prices shifted more freight to the railroads in the third quarter of 2008, according to the Intermodal Association of North America (IANA). The association reported that domestic intermodal had its best performance since the second quarter of 2004, with domestic container shipments up 10.5%. Overall, year-to-date domestic intermodal freight grew by 4.7% and the total volume of intermodal freight is currently just 1.6% behind last year’s numbers.

According to IANA, a surge in 53-ft. container shipments helped to drive these gains. Truck trailer shipments moving at least a portion of the way by rail also grew for the second quarter in a row for the first time in more than three years.

IANA also announced the election of two new members to the organization’s Board of Directors and the re-election of two current board members to new terms. The two newly elected directors, Chris Munro, president & CEO of Roadlink and Patrick Valentine, director, safety and regulatory issues for Maersk Equipment Service Company, Inc., will begin their terms on January 1st.