AUGUST 2026 American Journal of Transportation American Journal of Transportation 3 The Port of Long Beach. 1 Million Reasons to Invest. $1 million for the first ship to fuel with methanol on a commercial scale in Long Beach – another way we’re INVESTING in the Port of the Future. Intermodal transportation is growing, a trend expected to continue Trucking issues, rail modernization, and improved service are drivers By Debra Phillips, AJOT (GROWING – continued on page 6) Intermodal transportation is experiencing strong growth in 2026, with volumes con- sistently surpassing the five- year average. This upward trend is expected to continue into 2027, according to the International Intermodal Association of North Amer- ica (IANA). Several factors are con- tributing to ongoing growth in this industry sector, includ- ing trucking issues affect- ing cost and availability, rail modernization, and improved efficiency and collaboration among all modal providers. Trucking Companies Face Multiple Challenging Market Dynamics Truckload capacity and rates have fluctuated for several years. The Ameri- can Transportation Research Institute (ATRI) recently issued a report outlining some of the ongoing issues impacting the industry. ATRI research indicates that the trucking industry is experiencing a historic three- year freight recession. Eco- nomic concerns are weighing on consumer spending, while shifting tariffs on certain commodities and countries are adding uncertainty across the trucking sector. COVID-19 triggered sharp swings in trucking capacity and rates. Emergency demand prompted carriers to invest heavily in equipment and labor, but as pandemic-re- lated pressures eased, freight demand fell while operating costs rose, leaving carriers with excess capacity. In 2026, recent research by C.H. Robinson points to signs of recovery, or a better balance between supply and demand in the trucking industry. However, increased freight demand is only in certain trucking sectors—not across the entire industry. According to C. H. Robin- son, the flatbed market has benefited from strength in manufacturing, which helps offset the weakness in resi- dential construction. Mixed trucking capac- ity and rate trends have done little to reduce the uncertainty shippers face when choosing transportation modes, prompt- ing more companies to con- sider intermodal options. Intermodal is Ready for “Prime Time” “Intermodal’s value propo- sition is especially strong right now because it helps customers respond to several pressures in today’s market, including rising transportation costs and tightening truckload capacity,” said Darren Field, executive vice president and president of Intermodal at J.B. Hunt Transport Services Inc. “As customers move more freight into intermodal for those rea- sons, strong service levels and consistent execution are giving them the confidence to make it a more durable part of their transportation strategy.” While intermodal has traditionally offered an eco- nomical way to move freight Central Oregon & Pacific Railroad, a Genesee & Wyoming Inc. subsidiary, announced the opening of a Choice Terminal™ facility along its line in Dillard earlier this year. INTERMODAL 2026
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