Fuel Surcharges Drive US Intermodal Prices Up

U.S. intermodal rates rose slightly last week across multiple lanes, according to weekly data on all-inclusive 53-foot door-to-door spot pricing quoted by railroads and provided by the 3PL IDS. This increase was largely due to the continued rise in fuel surcharges, IDS said.

All-in 53-Foot Door-to-Door Spot Intermodal Rates
West to East Rates
Source: IDS

For a larger version of the chart, click on the image.

Rates on all four directional indices — east-west, west-east, north-south, and south-north — saw increases during the week of Feb. 18. The east-west index climbed $13 or 0.7 percent to $1,810 per all-in 53-foot move. West-east rates climbed $11 or 0.5 percent to $2,480. North-to-south rates were up $11 or 0.6 percent to $1,998, and south-to-north lanes were up $11 or 0.6 percent to $1,771, IDS reported.

IDS EVP Rick LaGore noted that the overall index was at its lowest point just two weeks ago, but rates have come off of that low because of rising fuel costs. U.S. diesel prices have risen for five straight weeks, jumping 5.3 cents in the week ending Feb. 18.

All four directional indices are still increasing, but at a slower pace than the week before. West-east rates showed the largest deceleration by increasing just 0.5 percent during the week; the week before, they rose by 2.2 percent.

Rates showed steady increases across a broad range of lanes this week. Atlanta-Dallas was $1,685, up from $1,670 last week. Atlanta-Seattle was $2,845, up from $2,825. Chicago-Dallas was $2,295, up from $2,280, and Chicago-Denver was $2,645, up from $2,630 last week.

Los Angeles-Chicago rose to $2,310 from $2,295 last week, and LA-New Jersey was $3,515, up from $3,490 last week.