Insights - May/June 2017 - 4

FROM THE PRESIDENT'S DESK
Dear IANA Members,
A growing emphasis on technology has been the
consistent theme for those of us who have attended
or read about recent industry meetings, including
IANA's May Business Meeting. One can't help but be
impressed by the overwhelming array of technologyrelated business opportunities that are unfolding.
Whether the asset takes the form of automation,
location-based services, operating systems or other
innovations, the future seems to be overflowing with
interesting possibilities.
But what does that mean for intermodal today?
The underlying message behind these
technological initiatives, such as the recent
intermodal platooning demonstration in Los Angeles,
is the drive to improve productivity. IANA shares
that commitment, as evidenced by the promising
discussions during our recent business meeting that
focused on advancements in terminal operations, the
advent of electronic logging devices, and road ready
intermodal equipment.
This issue of Intermodal Insights includes
detailed reports about these subjects and more. A
number of expert views on multiple aspects of the
productivity theme also are included.

In today's changing times, many anticipate that
the Trump administration will relieve businesses
of unnecessary regulatory burdens, freeing up
the ingenuity and determination of intermodal
stakeholders to boost their productivity and
efficiency even further. The resulting changes
could create a beneficial environment for further
innovation.
On a final technology note, IANA wishes to
recognize and remember the late Marty Stefflre's
tremendous contributions to the development of
the UIIA and its related Intermodal Information
Programs. He skillfully conceptualized and designed
the efficient and reliable systems that have made
IANA the go-to resource for neutral technology
platforms that the intermodal industry relies on
for many of its daily business transactions. We all
are grateful to Marty for his efforts, and send our
condolences to his family.
As we move forward into the summer, the IANA
staff will work tirelessly to keep delivering on our
commitment to help our members be productive and
successful.

Joni Casey

IANA NEWS
Silver Kingpin Award Ballots
Due June 30
The voting period for the 2017 Silver
Kingpin Award recipient ends June 30.
IANA voting members were sent ballots
electronically on June 1. Members who
need assistance with the process should
contact Mindi McGrath at 301-982-3400,
ext. 335.
The Silver Kingpin Award will be
presented during Intermodal EXPO 2017 in
Long Beach, California.

EXPO's FreightCast Panel
Announced
Global, continental and domestic
economic trends brought both
uncertainty and opportunity for the freight
transportation industry throughout 2016
and 2017.
Led by John Larkin, managing director
at Stifel, Nicolaus and Company, the
FreightCast at this year's Intermodal EXPO
will review the past year's transformational
events and provide attendees with an
expert analysis of the industry's key trends
4 Intermodal Insights | May/June 2017

and future prospects. The 2017
panelists are:
* Larry Gross, partner and
senior consultant, FTR
Transportation Intelligence
*

Alan Murphy, CEO & partner,
SeaIntel Maritime Analysis

Lee Clair, managing partner,
Transportation and Logistics
Advisors

This opening general session
will take place September 18,
and will lay the groundwork
for two full days of EXPO
educational programming. Areas
that will be addressed include:
customer service requirements,
patterns in North American
trade, the impact of regulations
on intermodal stakeholders,
emerging technologies and new
intermodal markets. In addition, the
downstream effects of ocean carrier
consolidations and the refinement of their
alliances in an uncertain trade environment
will be featured.

Larkin

Gross

Murphy

Clair

IANA News - continued on page 6

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Insights - May/June 2017