Norfolk Southern International Intermodal Changes

Norfolk Southern Railway is overhauling its international intermodal network to improve efficiency and expand East Coast service into the Midwest. The changes, effective October 20, include consolidating operations and adding new train capacity from major East Coast ports.

Norfolk Southern will discontinue select West Coast international trains with minimal volume to Cleveland and Detroit, while maintaining stronger West Coast connections through higher-demand terminals. To offset these changes, they are launching a new service from the Port of NY and NJ, including a train from Port Liberty Bayonne beginning October 21, supplementing its daily service from APM’s Elizabeth Marine Terminal.

Shippers in Detroit and Cleveland are encouraged to reroute cargo through East Coast ports or alternate West Coast terminals such as Long Beach Container Terminal.

This restructuring reflects a broader trend among North American railroads including, BNSF, Union Pacific, CN, and CSX, to reconfigure intermodal routes and strengthen connections between ports and inland markets.

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