Domestic containers gained 1.5 percent, and international containers were up 0.1 percent year-over-year in the third quarter of 2022, according to the Intermodal Association of North America’s Intermodal Quarterly report. However, total intermodal volumes fell 1.0 percent based on a 27.7 percent decline in intermodal trailer traffic.

“The positive numbers for domestic and international containers are an indication of increasing network fluidity and reduction in congestion,” said Joni Casey, president and CEO of IANA. “Additional gains are anticipated in the fourth quarter which could negate some of the losses experienced during the first half of the year.”

The seven highest-density trade corridors, which collectively handled more than 60 percent of total volume, showed mixed results in the third quarter. The Trans-Canada corridor was up 6.1 percent, along with the Midwest-Southwest at 1.7 percent. The Midwest-Northwest recorded a 14.7 percent decline, followed by the South Central-Southwest and the Southeast-Southwest at 13.9 percent. The Intra-Southeast declined 8.5 percent, while the Northeast-Midwest held losses to 0.5 percent.