Keeping things moving
SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION
NORTHEAST TRADE AND LOGISTICS
the world continue to be transformed by technology , prompting further financing . In Canada , CN has committed to making technologu investments , particularly to improve terminal efficiency .
The railroad ’ s updated terminal operating system — recently implemented at major ports such as Montreal and Toronto — better tracks work events and container location within the yard . From a driver standpoint , improvements such as enhanced yard design and real-time visibility into inventory have allowed for increased preparedness and awareness as they enter the terminal .
Investment in artificial intelligence is also a priority . Autonomous Track Inspection Program ( ATIP ) cars are used for capital planning and track and roadway maintenance . The cars inspect rails for potential defects using sensors and AI technology and can run in regular train service at track speed .
“ We ’ re [ implementing ] different advancements in our network to make sure that we limit disruption and allow for efficient operations ,” said Stephen Burns , CN ’ s director of marketing for domestic intermodal .
The railroad is also looking to take advantage of rising cargo volume in the region with new investments and partnerships across major players . In 2022 , CN partnered with Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern railroads in a joint Equipment Management Pool that expands their reach across North America . The program connects a fleet of over 40,000 53-foot dry containers from CN ’ s network in Chicago to the Northeast .
“ We ’ re connecting to points that don ’ t hit our network but hit Norfolk Southern ’ s [ network ],” Burns said . “ It could be Pennsylvania going to Calgary or further east , hitting another NS point that goes all the way to western Canada or central Canada . So we ’ re able to provide shippers and customers with more options that mimic truck .”
For CN , these major spikes in demand going back to the COVID-19 pandemic have created an urgency to find new ways of doing business . As the market has begun to normalize , the railway is focused on giving its customers more alternatives without raising costs .
“ What we ’ re finding is , overall , people are realizing that they want options ,”
Burns said . “ There ’ s more diversification . Coming down from the peak , there ’ s been more capacity , so we ’ ve seen a lot more of a competitive environment out there . It ’ s forcing us and our customers to look at different ways of doing business .”
In addition to a desire for alternatives , Burns noted that customers are more focused on sustainability than ever before .
“ They want the service they ’ re familiar with [ regarding ] truck , but they want the environmental benefits that we get from intermodal ,” Burns said . “ That ’ s forcing us to work with our customers as partners and develop these services that benefit the customer .
“ Customers are much more forward thinking when it comes to the environment , trying to find rail services that are sustainable and can compete with trucks ,” he added . “ We are seeing growth not only in the Northeast , but just in general in our US network and in Mexico . We ’ ve got capacity to grow .” n
email : amywunderlin @ gmail . com
Keeping things moving
A leader in the North American transportation services industry , CN is focused on supply chain innovation and collaboration . CN offers integrated shipping solutions , including rail , intermodal , trucking , transloading , warehousing and distribution . Whether shipping across CN ’ s rail network of more than 20,000 route miles , shipping globally through the many ports CN services on three coasts or leveraging any of the approximately 21 strategically located intermodal terminals across the network , CN connects you with the people that matter most : your customers .
CN is constantly working hard with supply chain partners to innovate , create and implement solutions that seek to drive sustainable , long-term growth for its customers . Recently , CN partnered with UP and Grupo Mexico to offer its Falcon Premium Service — the fastest service between Canada , the US Midwest and Mexico . Additionally , CN ’ s partnership with Norfolk Southern is providing a reliable and speedy link between Canadian markets and Kansas City and Atlanta .
CN plays a key role in fostering the prosperity of the North American markets it serves and is an indispensable transportation supplier for many key sectors in North America — from grain and forest products to industrial products and the automotive sector , along with moving raw materials , intermediate goods and finished products to market .
Safety is paramount . CN ’ s vision is to be the safest railroad in North America by establishing an uncompromising safety culture that leads to sustained leadership in safety . CN believes in a systematic approach that leaves nothing to chance and invests significantly in technology , training , coaching , recognition and employee engagement initiatives . Nothing is more important to CN than running a safe operation . n
Contact : 935 , de la Gauchetiere Street West Montreal ( Quebec ) H3B 2M9 1-888-MOVIN-CN
34 Journal of Commerce | November 4 , 2024 www . joc . com