Q2 Snapshot: Intermodal Savings Narrow Amid Flat Rate Environment

In Q2 2025, U.S. shippers leveraging domestic intermodal instead of long-haul trucking saved an average of:

• 17.1% on spot market freight
• 24.2% on contract loads

However, these savings dipped year-over-year, as shown in the latest Journal of Commerce Intermodal Savings Index (ISI).Contract intermodal rates remained essentially flat (up <1%excluding fuel), while truckload contract rates rose between 0% and2%.

📦 In dollar terms, intermodal still offered meaningful advantages:

• $659 per container saved on the spot market
• $789 per container saved on the contract market

Yet, those numbers were down from Q2 2024.

Volume Trends: Intermodal Uptick, But Caution Ahead

North American railroads moved 2.12 million domestic containers inQ2 — a 2.6% YoY increase, according to IANA. Despite this, the Journal of Commerce forecasts a 1%–4% volume dip in Q3.However, early July showed promising momentum:

“Near-term demand trends off the West Coast are strong... We’re seeing an early West Coast peak season,” said Hub Group CEO Phil Yeager.

Still, uncertainty remains as shippers wrestle with fluctuating import forecasts.

Surcharges and Peak Season Pressures in Q3

As we head into Q3, surcharges are the critical X-factor:

• J.B. Hunt initiated a $1,500/container surcharge in Southern California.
• Hub Group and Schneider National followed with more moderate increases, largely tied to repositioning costs.

These charges help providers offset operational disruptions —but risk making trucking more attractive if not carefully calibrated.

🔁 For instance:

• LA to Dallas/Kansas City currently saves ~$700–$900/container via intermodal.
• Excessive surcharges could erase that edge and shift freight back to trucks.

Strategic Insight: Balance, Not Bias

The Q3 decision matrix for shippers boils down to this:

• Intermodal is still cost-effective — but less so than a year ago.
• Peak season surcharges must be monitored closely.
• Trucking becomes more appealing if rail costs rise too fast without parallel truck rate increases.

Final Thoughts

Shippers navigating Q3 should:

✅ Monitor ISI shifts and spot vs. contract trends
✅Recalculate mode savings on a lane-by-lane basis
✅ Build surcharge flexibility into procurement strategies

Worldtop & Meta’s recommendation? Stay agile, not reactive — real-time market data and service provider transparency are essential for navigating seasonal swings and maintaining cost-efficiency.

📊 For deeper insights and route-specific analysis, Worldtop &Meta’s Verified Service Provider (VSP) database helps clients compare rates, surcharges, and service reliability across providers.

Learn more:https://www.wto-mww.com/en/verified-service-provider

Source:https://www.joc.com/article/intermodal-savings-dipped-in-q2-surcharges-to-factor-into-q3-decisions-6058484

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