Insights - September 2015 - (Page 5)

Exclusive to Intermodal Insights Intermodal Growth Hinges on Service, Analysts Say in EXPO Session Preview A focus on service issues is critical to intermodal realizing its growth potential, according to a trio of industry analysts to speak in a Sept. 22 discussion at Intermodal EXPO 2015. The three analysts separately shared their thoughts with Intermodal Insights in advance of the Tuesday morning session. Each predicted intermodal growth, particularly in the domestic sector, but pointed to challenges. "This is the first core challenge to intermodal since the late 1990s, when the nation had the large rail service meltdown in '98-'99," said Thomas S. Albrecht, managing director and senior equity research analyst in the transportation group at Richmond, Va.-based BB&T Capital Markets. "At its core, the service issues continue to linger," Albrecht added. "There's looser truck capacity. There are a lot of hard feelings. And intermodal is having a gut check like they haven't had in 16 or 17 years. They're going to definitely need to improve service." BB&T Capital Markets' Thomas S. Albrecht believes improving intermodal service is easier said than done. Stifel Financial Corp.'s John G. Larkin says shippers have given intermodal the benefit of the doubt. John G. Larkin, Dallas-based managing director of equity research for transportation and logistics at Stifel Financial Corp., commented, "Intermodal is still trying to find its operational rhythm after a 2014 that started off with too much snow and too much cold weather. "Big demand for the transport of grain, coal and fracking-related commodities, plus the shifts in intermodal driven by the labor strife at the West ABH Consulting's Anthony B. Hatch sees intermodal offering the best hope for supply chain productivity gains. Coast ports, added insult to injury," Larkin continued. "Intermodal service was weak, and that may be kind, at a time when the trucking industry couldn't find sufficient numbers of qualified, motivated drivers," he said. "So shippers gave intermodal the benefit of the doubt. "To successfully grow in the future, the railroads will need to continue inGrowth - continued on page 7 Visit www.intermodalexpo.com for details on IANA Intermodal EXPO 2015, scheduled for Sept. 20-22 in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. The website features registration and exhibitor information, program and speaker particulars, housing options and other key materials. (857) 300-3928 | info@gansettp.com September 2015 | Intermodal Insights 5 http://www.intermodalexpo.com http://www.intermodalexpo.com http://www.Gansettp.com http://www.Gansettp.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Insights - September 2015

Fed Update
Highway Funding Extended Again
HOS Report Spurs Divergent View
IANA Adds a new Senior Vice President
Board Nominations Deadline is Sept. 8
Port Everglades, FECR Look to Showcase ICTF
Exclusive Report: Intermodal Growth Hinges on Services, Analysts Say in EXPO Session Preview
Get Social and Connect at Intermodal EXPO
Several Trends Emerge Under Scrutiny of Intermodal Industry's Success
Freight Report
Port News
People in the News
In Brief
2015 Sponsors
New Members
Industry Calendar

Insights - September 2015