Since it introduced the Mexico Express intermodal service between the U.S. Eastern Seaboard and Mexico, Schneider National Inc. says it has become its fastest intermodal lane for freight delivery across the border to Mexico City, San Luis Potosi, Guadalajara, Jalisco, the Bajio region and Monterrey. The service was made possible through a contract with Kansas City Southern, Kansas City Southern de México and Norfolk Southern railroads.
Logistics Today caught up with David Howland, vice president-rail for Schneider National, at the National Industrial Transportation League (NITL) to discuss developments at the truckload carrier. Intermodal makes sense for long-haul transportation given current market dynamics, notes Howland. In the past year, Schneider has made significant moves into intermodal, and these aren’t likely to be the last.
Earlier in 2006, Schneider opened an intermodal facility in Marion, Ohio to serve the Ohio Valley. That facility has rail links to Kansas City where the carrier can connect directly with Mexico via. the Kansas City Southern or, after a cross-town move, connect with rail services to the U.S. West Coast. With Mexico’s West Coast ports developing rapidly, Howland sees even more opportunity for the carrier. Improved rail links and increased container capacity developing at the ports will begin to offer shippers some relief from crowded U.S. ports in Southern California, and Howland feels Schneider’s capability in those lanes will become more important.
