Norfolk Southern and CSX are deploying additional train capacity to combat possible freight congestion spurred by cargo being diverted from the Port of Baltimore.
On Friday, Norfolk Southern launched a dedicated intermodal service to keep freight moving between the Elizabeth Marine Terminal at the Port of New York and New Jersey, and the Seagirt Marine Terminal at the Port of Baltimore. The railroad is also working with Ports America to extend the service directly on-dock to its Seagirt intermodal container transfer facility, according to a service update.
Norfolk Southern noted that it isn’t putting a hard deadline on the mitigation solutions as it continues to monitor conditions at the port, a spokesperson told Supply Chain Dive in an email.
“As customers make their decisions, we’re helping them understand what rail capacity is available [and] what cargo we can accommodate through other ports of entry,” the Norfolk Southern spokesperson said. “Those conversations are taking place, and customers are looking at options in New York / New Jersey, Virginia, Delaware, Florida, and Georgia.”
CSX, meanwhile, said it was leveraging partnerships with steamship lines to ensure continuity for impacted shipments. The railroad on Tuesday launched a dedicated solution between New York and Baltimore to manage the flow of goods that typically moves through the Port of Baltimore, a CSX spokesperson told Supply Chain Dive in an email.
Coal, which is stored at the CSX-operated Curtis Bay Coal pier, is among the commodities transported from the port by the railroad. The railroad has said it will keep shipping coal from the port and remains in regular communication with customers and port officials.
