Intermodal Gains Forecast

Freight Rates Expected to Spur Rail-Truck Hauls
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EW YORK — Shippers will move more freight over the rail-truck intermodal network next year because of falling truck capacity and rising freight rates, according to several transportation industry officials.

Motor and intermodal carriers speaking at an investors’ forum in New York earlier this month said they expected more freight to shift from trucks to rail for part of the move as shippers sacrifice time for space and lower costs. They added that some freight would be lost to trucking permanently.

“Shippers will need to be more aggressive,” said Steve Russell, chairman and chief executive officer of Celadon Group, said. “There will be a shift to intermodal.”



Russell joined executives of J.B. Hunt Transport Services, Pacer International and intermodal marketing company Hub Group Inc. on an intermodal panel at the forum, hosted by BB&T Capital Markets.

For the full story, see the Nov. 17 edition of Transport Topics. Subscribe today.

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