Back to September 2026 Industry Update
September 2026 Industry Update: Intermodal
FreightWaves SONAR Intermodal Rates Index (INTRM.USA)
Key Points
- Intermodal spot rates continued to climb in August, up $0.10 MoM to $1.81 and $0.38 above the same-month level last year.
FreightWaves SONAR Initially Reported Average Contract Base RPM (IMCRPM1.USA)
Key Points
- Initially reported average intermodal contract rates rebounded in August after declining in July, rising $0.15 MoM and up $0.13 YoY from August 2025.
Surface Transportation Board (STB) Weekly Average U.S. Rail Carload Volumes
Key Points
- Total rail carload volume originations rose further in August, up 1.6% YoY and marking the eighth straight month of annual gains, driven by growth in 15 of the 20 major carload categories.
Surface Transportation Board (STB) Weekly Average U.S. Rail Intermodal Volumes
Key Points
- Total intermodal container and trailer originations extended their growth streak in August, with weekly average intermodal volumes up 3.8% YoY, bringing YTD volumes up 3.1% YoY through the first eight months of 2025.