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During the fourth quarter, North American intermodal volume rose 8.8 percent compared with the same 2002 period — the seventh-straight quarter of volume growth and largest year-over-year increase since first-quarter 2003's 9.6 percent, according to Intermodal Association of North America's (IANA) quarterly "Intermodal Market Trends & Statistics" report.

North America's seven largest intermodal corridors posted quarterly volume increases averaging 12.7 percent compared with fourth-quarter 2002. The Southeast-Southwest, Midwest-Southwest and South Central-Southwest corridors increased volume 18.4 percent, 17.2 percent and 15.6 percent, respectively.

Although the Northeast-Midwest, Trans-Canada and Southeast-Midwest corridors posted the lowest quarterly volume increases at 8.9 percent, 6.3 percent and 5.7 percent, respectively, the lanes still recorded year-over-year growth.

Because the U.S. economy is strengthening, the North American intermodal industry can expect volume increases to continue in 2004, IANA officials said in a prepared statement.