Adapting to Rising Intermodal Costs: What PNW Shippers Need to Know Now

If you’ve touched a container in the last 60 days, you already know that intermodal costs are up, and patience is down.

From drayage to chassis to long-haul rail, pricing in the Pacific Northwest has been climbing fast. While some of the pressure is seasonal or lane-specific, much of it ties back to deeper infrastructure strain, cross-border uncertainty, and the layered impact of new tariffs reshaping how and where freight flows.

At Terminal Transfer, we work with importers and regional shippers daily to help navigate this. And right now, what’s most needed isn’t just rate quotes or quick turns. It’s a logistics partner who can help you think ahead—without losing sight of what matters to your business.

Why Costs Are Rising

Let’s get the obvious out of the way first: capacity is tight. With ongoing chassis shortages, shifting volumes through Canadian ports, and retaliatory tariffs reshaping North American sourcing decisions, more freight is competing for fewer resources. For PNW shippers, especially those relying on intermodal rail from Seattle or Tacoma into the Midwest, those cost increases are showing up on every leg of the move.

And that’s before you layer in the April tariff hikes. Between evolving U.S.-China policy and retaliatory measures from trade partners, costs related to customs clearance, bonded storage, and cross-border delays add friction—and expense—to what were to be straightforward import moves.

The Path Forward Isn’t Fast—But It Can Be Smart

We get it. You can’t always rework your supply chain because rail pricing jumped or your drayage partner bumped their fuel surcharge. But you can adapt with a logistics provider who offers visibility, contingency planning, and real-time advice—not just a portal and a billing team.

If you’re moving intermodal freight through the Pacific Northwest, here’s what we’re advising now:

• Build flexibility into your routing. When possible, diversify port usage and anticipate potential cross-border delays. Options matter more than ever.

• Adjust your lead times and buffer zones. Delays aren’t guaranteed, but they’re likely. Give your freight room to breathe, especially when navigating tariff-impacted goods.

• Revisit how your providers communicate. Do you get notified before or after the problem hits? Do you have a real point of contact who knows your business—or just a generic updates email?

At Terminal Transfer, we’re not just here to move freight. We’re here to help you move it smarter with strategies that fit your business—not just the market’s mood. That means personalized attention, practical planning, and the kind of regional expertise that comes from knowing this industry—and this coast—inside and out.

It's Time to Rethink Intermodal as Strategy

Prices shift—that’s the reality of today’s logistics. However, shippers who stay flexible, communicate clearly, and partner with providers who know how to interpret the pressure points are the businesses that will remain resilient.

Let's talk if you’re feeling the strain of rising costs and reactive providers. Terminal Transfer is here to help you rethink intermodal—not just ride it out.