BNSF, NS, NWSA redesign faster service from PNW to Chicago and beyond

BNSF Railway and connecting partners Norfolk Southern (NS) and the Northwest Seaport Alliance (NWSA) announced a collaboration to redesign and develop a 3-day faster service product for inland point intermodal (IPI) traffic from the Pacific Northwest (PNW), destined to and connecting through Chicago.

The redesigned plan will encompass the NWSA building trains in less than 2 days dwell off the dock with the density to seamlessly connect to and through Chicago. The seamless hand-off across BNSF’s Northern Transcon route enables faster transit and better consistency for cargo shippers.

“This service product collaboration was an outcome of listening to our joint customers, who emphasized the desire to use more rail, but would need to also reduce inventory carrying and total landed transportation costs out of their networks in 2025,” said BNSF Group Vice President, Consumer Products Jon Gabriel. “We are proud to deliver a solution that accomplishes these goals.”

The NWSA Seattle/Tacoma port complex reported the lowest rail dwell in the country thus far this year as a result of operational changes emphasizing rail loading.

“The Northwest Seaport Alliance is excited to partner with BNSF and NS to offer this industry-leading service for shippers utilizing our gateway,” stated NWSA CEO John Wolfe. “This is an example of how through partnership and innovative efforts we can respond to the needs of shippers and deliver best-in-class service for our customers.”

With reduced on dock dwell and faster transit, results will be 3 days faster, with the total time from ship to Chicago at 6 days, the fastest from any PNW gateway in North America.

NS and BNSF will deliver all interchange traffic to one location (NS-Ashland), for a single crew swap, then move toward inland markets in Ohio, Pennsylvania and more.

www.bnsf.com