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Although total North American intermodal volume increased only a "respectable" amount in the third quarter, domestic container volume surged again, according to the Intermodal Association of North America's (IANA) latest "Intermodal Market Trends & Statistics" report.

Domestic container volume climbed 11.3 percent in the third quarter to 1,266,856 units, posting double-digit growth for the fourth-straight quarter, IANA officials said in a prepared statement.

"Every IANA region reflected an increase in domestic containers, which were responsible for the majority of total third quarter intermodal gains," they said. "Volumes were most impressive in the Midwest and the Northeast regions, with each recording nearly a 15 percent uptick."

Total intermodal volume rose 3.2 percent year over year to 3,652,510 units even though the economic slowdown still was apparent in the quarter, IANA officials said.

Total domestic equipment volume rose 5.8 percent to 1,691,843 units, trailer volume tumbled 10.7 percent to 424,987 units and international container volume inched up 0.9 percent to 1,960,667 compared with third-quarter 2011 levels.

"The largest overall cause of modest international intermodal volume increases continues to be weak port volume, as many shippers have been unwilling to bring in substantial inventories," IANA officials said. "Strong domestic container gains have kept overall intermodal volume growth positive, and an anticipated rebound in imports should deliver higher levels of overall intermodal performance in the coming months."