After spending several days at IANA Intermodal Expo 2026, one thing became abundantly clear: intermodal is no longer simply a transportation alternative. It is increasingly becoming a foundational strategy for how shippers build more resilient, scalable, and cost-effective supply chains.
The conversations this year felt different. While cost savings have always been part of the intermodal value proposition, the focus has shifted toward a broader discussion around reliability, network optionality, cargo security, and long-term transportation strategy.
As we head into one of the busiest holiday shipping seasons of the year, many of the themes discussed at IANA offer valuable insight into what shippers should expect in the months ahead.
1. The industry is entering what many are calling “the age of intermodal”
One of the most powerful messages from the event came from Katie Farmer, CEO of BNSF Railway, who described the industry’s evolution from an “intermodal moment” to an “age of intermodal.”
That distinction matters. For years, intermodal conversations often centered around converting freight from truckload to rail when rates made economic sense. Today, many shippers are taking a much more strategic view. The conversation is increasingly focused on designing transportation networks around three priorities:
- Reliability
- Resilience
- Optionality
In other words, how do you create a network that performs consistently regardless of market conditions?
The answer increasingly involves a more intentional use of intermodal transportation.
2. Why intermodal growth appears poised to continue
Several of the macroeconomic and transportation trends discussed throughout the conference suggest conditions remain favorable for intermodal growth.
Industry leaders pointed to strong intermodal volume performance in 2025 and expectations for continued growth in 2026. At the same time, we are seeing several market dynamics that could further accelerate adoption:
- Tightening truckload capacity
- Rising truckload rates
- Strong consumer demand
- Increased regulatory enforcement affecting driver availability
- Growing focus on transportation efficiency and network optimization
At C.H. Robinson, we are seeing many customers move beyond simply evaluating mode costs. They are asking broader questions about how to improve service consistency, reduce network risk, and create greater flexibility during times of disruption.
That shift is exactly what many of the keynote speakers highlighted throughout the event.
3. Infrastructure investments are positioning the industry for future growth
Another consistent theme at IANA was confidence in the future of intermodal.
Railroads, ports, and infrastructure providers continue to invest heavily in expanding capacity and improving service performance.
Dr. Noel Hacegaba, CEO of the Port of Long Beach, shared ambitious plans designed to increase throughput while reducing congestion and terminal dwell times. BNSF highlighted the strategic importance of major projects like the Barstow International Gateway, while Union Pacific emphasized ongoing efforts to eliminate operational friction and improve network visibility.
What stood out to me was not just the scale of these investments. It was the alignment across the industry.
The common objective is clear: create a faster, more connected, and more reliable intermodal ecosystem capable of supporting future freight demand.
4. Peak season success starts long before peak season begins
As we approach the holiday shipping surge, one lesson surfaced repeatedly throughout the conference.
Peak season performance is not determined during peak season. It is determined months earlier through planning, collaboration, and network design.
BNSF shared that it moved 80 million parcel packages between Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve last year without service failures, a result driven by early planning and close coordination with customers.
That same principle applies to shippers today. Organizations that wait until capacity becomes constrained often have fewer options available. Those that proactively evaluate their transportation strategy, diversify capacity sources, and establish modal alternatives are typically better positioned when demand spikes occur.
For many shippers, now is the time to revisit transportation plans for the remainder of the year and evaluate where intermodal can play a larger role.
5. Regulatory changes could become an important market variable
Several policy discussions at IANA focused on the potential impact of changing regulatory enforcement within trucking.
Topics included:
- B-1 visa enforcement
- English language proficiency requirements
- Reviews of non-domiciled CDLs
- Entry-Level Driver Training compliance audits
While the full market impact remains uncertain, many industry participants believe these developments could further influence available truckload capacity in the coming months.
Whether those capacity impacts are significant or modest, the broader takeaway remains the same: maintaining flexibility across transportation modes is becoming increasingly important in today’s freight environment.
What we are watching at C.H. Robinson?
As I left IANA, I found myself thinking less about what happened at the conference and more about what happens next.
The conversations reinforced several themes we are actively monitoring:
- Continued intermodal volume growth
- Truckload capacity tightening as demand increases
- Growing importance of cargo security and supply chain resilience
- Increased adoption of visibility and AI-powered decision tools
- Ongoing investments in rail and port infrastructure
- Greater focus on transportation networks built around optionality rather than single-mode dependence
Our recent market analysis also points to continued strength in intermodal demand as shippers prepare for holiday inventory movements and position for future growth. While no one can predict exactly how the market will unfold, the signals across the industry are increasingly aligned.
Final thoughts
My biggest takeaway from IANA Expo 2026 is that intermodal has evolved from a tactical transportation decision into a strategic supply chain discussion.
The companies that will be best positioned during this year’s peak season, and beyond, will likely be those that build flexibility into their networks before they need it.
Intermodal will not be the right answer for every shipment. But as service performance improves, infrastructure investments expand, and market conditions continue to evolve, it has become an increasingly valuable tool for shippers looking to balance cost, service, and resilience.
If IANA Expo 2026 was any indication, the industry is entering a new chapter.
And the age of intermodal may be just getting started.
