Initiatives to Expedite Intermodal Traffic

CN Intermodal has experienced a sharp spike in demand for its services to “pre-recession” levels in recent weeks as a result of a number of factors, including surging imports from Asia at West Coast ports and higher volumes moving through East Coast ports.

CN has taken a number of initiatives -- and is working closely with its customers and terminal stakeholders on other actions -- to expedite its handling of  intermodal traffic:

• Returned 675 intermodal car platforms from storage and injected 1,000 platforms into its fleet
• Increased the length of intermodal trains originating at West Coast ports to 11,000 feet from 9,000 feet
• Operated five additional trains from the Deltaport terminal of TSI Terminal Systems Inc. near Vancouver
• Added an additional transcontinental train to its operating plan, so that there are five such trains daily
• Staffed up intermodal terminals in Toronto and Montreal
• Added an additional crane at its Montreal intermodal terminal
• Increased car repairs

CN's action plan has quickly and substantially reduced the amount of containers stored at Deltaport Terminal. This was made possible in part by CN's recent supply chain collaboration agreements with TSI and Port Metro Vancouver.

With the surge in container traffic from Asia arriving at CN's terminals in central Canada this week, customers can play an important role in speeding up the supply chain. CN encourages customers to retrieve containers from CN terminals in Brampton and Montreal as quickly as possible, particularly during off-hours or on the weekends when carter activity is low. This will improve the fluidity of CN terminals. That's particularly important with slower than normal pick-up and deliveries in the offing next week as a result of national holidays in Canada and the United States on July 1 and July 4.

Customers can also help CN handle its intermodal traffic efficiently by submitting traffic forecasts to the railway as much in advance as possible.

CN is committed to customer engagement and dialogue. Please contact your account representative if you have any questions or comments.