As we wind down a busy summer in intermodal, we’ve brought back a favorite to break down all the twists and turns. Ari Ashe of the Journal of Commerce returns to The Intermodal Logistics Podcast to discuss everything from the headline-making rail merger to the latest on intermodal service, volume and savings.
We jump right in with the showstopper: the major rail merger between Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern. Ari walks us through the deal’s fast-moving timeline, unpacks why there’s a real sense of urgency, highlights potential hurdles from other industry voices, and covers how this high-stakes move came to be.
Relatedly, Ari and InTek Logistics CEO Rick LaGore talk about what this merger means for carload and intermodal service, and Ari speculates on how the other Class 1 railroads may respond. Beyond the merger, Ari breaks down his most recent Intermodal Service Scorecard, which has railroads and intermodal providers earning high marks from customers in the first half of 2025.
We also dive into his Intermodal Savings Index, which indicates savings versus truck have tightened on some lanes thanks to overcapacity over the road. As for volume, what had been a positive trend looks to be coming to an end with tariff and trade uncertainty shaping what could be an especially slow stretch for intermodal (and freight in general) for the rest of the year.
Finally, Ari has a preview of JOC's upcoming Inland Distribution Conference in Chicago, with UP’s Jim Vena headlining a jam-packed agenda. Find Ari's latest reporting at www.joc.com, and learn more about Inland (along with how to register) at inland.joc.com.
Get this episode on YouTube, where you can also check out our playlist for our 68 previous episodes on The Intermodal Logistics Channel. You can also listen right here using the player below, or find it on Apple, Spotify, or whatever your favorite podcasting platform may be.
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