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Intermodal transportation services have been predicted to account for $7-$8 billion of the market in 1994, where services would cover 16% of the market available. However, it has been reported that the total inter-city commercial market has grossed over $82 billion, where intermodal accounts for only 9% of the total. The revenue difference has been attributed to the price increases set by trucking companies and the inability of firms to capitalize and develop new markets.

The National Commission on Intermodal Transportation expects to receive US Department of Transportation (DOT) funding to begin preparing its congressionally mandated report on the future of intermodalism and its impact on passenger and freight transportation. Before meeting last week with Michael Huerta, director of DOT's Office of Intermodalism, Commission members had felt its future was in doubt. But now that the Clinton Administration's DOT team is in place, optimism is renewed.

Shippers and carriers who participated in a roundtable discussion at the International Intermodal Expo expressed varying views about intermodal partnerships. Some emphasized the need for honesty between partners to ensure high quality services. Other participants focused onthe need to eliminate multiplicity in rate-making. However, majority of the panelists agreed that maintaining reliable communications links between shippers and carriers is an integral part of the partnership.

For well over a decade now, the transportation community has been talking about the challenges and potential of intermodal transportation. Problem is, we've all seemed to be preoccupied with the [...]

The 26th Annual Georgia Foreign Trade Conference scheduled for Oct 6 to Oct 8, 1992 in Savannah, GA will feature discussions on the Trans-Atlantic Agreement (TAA), the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and the recent developments in containization. Altantic Container Line Inc's Exec VP Andrew Abbott, will clarify major issues involved in the TAA. On the other hand, Robert Fisher, director for Mexican Affairs of the Office of the US Trade Representative will discuss the implications of NAFTA. Meanwhile, Mitsui Lines Inc's COO James V. Davis will provide an overview of the developments in containerization technology.

The trend in intermodal transportation has shifted to shorter but more efficient intermodal haul operations. Short line and regional hauling operators are encouraged to forge hauling agreements with the larger operators. This new intermodal arrangement is more cost effective and will help push railroad hauling rates down. However, the major railroads must quickly capitalize on this shift or lose a significant portion of their market share to trucking firms which have invested considerably on containerization.

Intermodalism requires increased information, improved technology and close cooperation between carriers and shippers to succeed, according to John Snow, who spoke at the 1992 International Intermodal Expo in Atlanta, GA. The Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act, passed in 1991, dramatically changed the way both government and the public think about transportation. Partnerships between truckers and railroads will increase efficiency and cut costs for both., 'The Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act (ISTEA) revolutionizes the way the public and government think about transportation,' says Andrew Card, secretary of the Dept. of Transportation (DOT). Card was one [...]

A great idea prevails BLG chairman Dr Rolf Fastenau used his speech at the 25th anniversary celebrations of the arrival of the first container at Bremen to celebrate the very [...]