Gauging growth

摘要

US intermodal traffic is increasing, but is enough investment taking place, and are there sufficient gains in efficiency programmes to cater for this growth? Neil Dekker reviews some of the recent trends affecting the US intermodal market. There is little doubt that the rise in east-bound transpacific cargo volume from China has been the largest contributory factor to the growth in US intermodal traffic in recent years. However, behind the growth lie some serious issues for the industry, particularly concerning efficiency, capacity and investment. Shippers are expressing their concern as to whether or not their future transport requirements will be met.