Intermodal sees May volume gains, reports IANA

Insight summary

• •May intermodal volume increased 4.4% year-over-year to 1,618,761 units, reversing April's 0.6% decline.
• •Domestic containers and trailers showed strong growth in May, up 8.6% and 7.9% respectively, while international containers grew 0.4%.
• •Year-to-date through May 2026, total intermodal volume rose 0.8%, with domestic equipment up 4.8%, and ISO containers down 4.7%.
• •The Iran conflict and higher fuel prices influenced a modal shift favoring domestic intermodal over international.
• •Tariff-related import reductions and increased domestic manufacturing activities have structurally shifted intermodal dynamics in favor of domestic freight.
• •Truckload supply tightening due to regulatory and labor market changes has created favorable conditions for intermodal growth.
• •Federal investment incentives and rising domestic manufacturing are supporting domestic intermodal volume gains amid trucking labor challenges.