Modal shift dampens trucking market

Chart of the Week: Loaded Domestic Rail Containers, SONAR long haul tender volume index – USA SONAR : ORAILDOML. USA, LSTVI. USA Intermodal use has grown 10% compared to 2025 for domestic-sized containers ( ORAILDOML ), while long-haul tender volumes (LSTVI) are flat. The two modes have been moving in opposite directions since the middle of July, with truckload demand falling faster than seasonally expected. This suggests shippers are once again looking to escape the elevated costs and challenges of the trucking space by utilizing the rails.