The Power of the North American Intermodal Industry
Intermodal is the movement of cargo in shipping containers or trailers by more than one mode of transportation. Globally, 95% of all manufactured goods at one point are moved in a container.
$55 Billion
annual revenue generated
Who Makes It Move
Marine
76 Million
loaded TEUs handled annually212,000
loaded TEUs handled each day31 Million
TEUs is the container vessel capacity of carriers24,346
TEUs can be carried on the largest container ship today
Motor Carriers
482,732
Drivers registered in IANA’s IDD12,389
motor carriers in IANA’s UIIA102 Million
drayage moves annually$28.7 Billion
estimated drayage market annual revenue
Rail
18 Million
loads moved by rail annually6
Class I railroads23
US-Canada rail border crossings7
US-Mexico rail border crossings85,000+
Domestic containers owned by US railroads
3PLs
$19.7 Billion
intermodal-related revenues generated by Intermodal Marketing Companies (IMCs)1
Number of contracts an IMC delivers for an intermodal move280,000+
Domestic containers owned by IMCs and other providers
Suppliers
3 Million
containers service the intermodal network709,608
chassis registered in IANA’s GIER350
marine and inland intermodal terminals60,000
containers/trailers transported on a typical day
Why It Works
Environmental Stewardship
Fuel conservation
Fewer heavy trucks on highways
Cargo Security
Freight Loss
Freight Damage
Theft
Savings
In avoided highway maintenance costs
In shipping costs
Visibility
- Interconnected network across supply chain
What's In The Containers
INDUSTRIAL AND BULK GOODS
Chemicals, machinery, auto parts, engines, plastics and metals
CONSUMER GOODS
Electronics, toys, appliances, furniture, footwear, clothes and textiles
AGRICULTURAL GOODS
Grain, lumber, paper products, fruits, vegetables, dairy products, beverages, refrigerated meats, and seafood
2026 PARTNERS
A special thank you to our premium level partners for your continued support.
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Intermodal Association of North America 11785 Beltsville Drive, Suite 1100 Calverton, MD 20705-4049 301-982-3400© Copyright 2026 Intermodal Association of North America.
