The Tampa Port Authority signed a letter of intent with Green Express (GX) for the development of an on-dock transload and rail-served facility connecting the Port of Tampa to the Midwest market region. The new GX express service is operated by CSX Transportation, a railroad which will provide two dedicated express trains per week, connecting Tampa and the Chicago/Kingsbury, Ind., area in 56 hours.
The GX train will serve a mix of refrigerated and dry products in the food and agricultural industry in Florida and the Midwest markets. It will also provide ocean carriers, international shippers and domestic retailers "fast to market" service.
“CSX is proud to support the trend toward more rail shipments of fresh produce by offering a creative and flexible pipeline from the farm to the table,” said Belinda Hess, director of marketing for Food & Consumer at CSX Transportation.
Iowa Pacific Holdings President Ed Ellis commented, "Iowa Pacific is pleased to join with the Port of Tampa in contributing refrigerated boxcars to this unique and innovative Green Express perishable food products train service."
Iowa Pacific Holdings operates nine short line railroads throughout the U.S., and operates a fleet of refrigerated boxcars in perishable food service across the US.
