Hyundai in deal with CSX
Hyundai Merchant Marine’s said it will make CSX Intermodal its rail partner in the eastern United States beginning June 1.
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“CSXI provides competitive service to all major East Coast ports and key intermodal markets,” the Korean carrier said, adding the decision “to change intermodal service providers is also influenced by a number of strategic infrastructure projects that will further enhance intermodal service across the CSXI network, most notably the National Gateway initiative with the impending completion of a new intermodal terminal facility in Northwest Ohio,” which is expected to open in the first quarter of next year.
“The National Gateway initiative will expand double stack rail service between the Midwest and the Mid-Atlantic regions, improving connectivity with markets like Baltimore and Norfolk,” Hyundai said.
The company said the new Ohio terminal will significantly improve service levels for its customer and allow interchange trains to bypass Chicago, avoiding congestion.
Kirk Douglas, vice president of Hyundai Intermodal Inc., estimated that HMM customers could expect to realize improvements in transit times for imports and exports of 24 to 48 hours. Hyundai is switching to CSXI from Norfolk Southern.
'Trains should experience faster departures from the West Coast and avoid density issues associated with loading or building trains,' he said.