Less Trucks Crossing the Border Maybe?
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
William B. Cassidy, Senior Editor | Oct 11, 2011 6:09PM GMT
The Journal of Commerce Online -
New service aims to cut intermodal transit times for cross-border shippers
Truckload giant Schneider National is leveraging its intermodal capabilities and relationship with Canadian National to speed freight between the U.S. and Canada.
The $2.4 billion company on Tuesday launched Canada Direct, an intermodal service that aims to provide truck-competitive door-to-door transit times for shippers. By speeding customs processing and prioritizing shipments, Schneider claims Canada Direct can cut transit times as much as a day between some regions.
Schneider isn’t the only carrier speeding cross-border service to and from Canada. Less-than-truckload carriers also are expanding across the border. Cross-border trade by truck as measured by value has increased year-over-year every month in 2011, according to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics.
Canadian companies such as TransForce and Purolator are expanding in the U.S. through acquisition and organic growth to capture more cross-border freight.
The time seems ripe for cross-border intermodal growth, as well. North American railroad set a new all-time high in intermodal loadings in the week ending Oct. 1.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
William B. Cassidy, Senior Editor | Oct 11, 2011 6:09PM GMT
The Journal of Commerce Online -
New service aims to cut intermodal transit times for cross-border shippers
Truckload giant Schneider National is leveraging its intermodal capabilities and relationship with Canadian National to speed freight between the U.S. and Canada.
The $2.4 billion company on Tuesday launched Canada Direct, an intermodal service that aims to provide truck-competitive door-to-door transit times for shippers. By speeding customs processing and prioritizing shipments, Schneider claims Canada Direct can cut transit times as much as a day between some regions.
Schneider isn’t the only carrier speeding cross-border service to and from Canada. Less-than-truckload carriers also are expanding across the border. Cross-border trade by truck as measured by value has increased year-over-year every month in 2011, according to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics.
Canadian companies such as TransForce and Purolator are expanding in the U.S. through acquisition and organic growth to capture more cross-border freight.
The time seems ripe for cross-border intermodal growth, as well. North American railroad set a new all-time high in intermodal loadings in the week ending Oct. 1.
