MONTREAL — Canadian National will launch new intermodal service from the Port of Gulfport, Miss., under a new agreement with the state’s port authority.
Test moves from the Gulf Coast port — which specializes in refrigerated cargo such as Dole and Chiquita bananas and other produce — will begin in the next few weeks, CN announced this week.
“We are proud to be partnering with the Mississippi State Port Authority at Gulfport and Ports America to launch this new service,” Dan Bresolin, CN’s intermodal vice president, said in a statement. “It will provide shippers with new ocean connectivity options to move goods between the Gulf Coast, U.S. Midwest, and Canada. By working collaboratively with partners, CN will continue to maximize the use of its capacity in its southern network to accelerate sustainable, profitable growth.”
CN reaches the port via haulage rights over Canadian Pacific Kansas City’s former Kansas City Southern Gulfport Subdivision between Hattiesburg and Gulfport. CPKC, in turn, reaches its isolated Gulfport Sub via trackage rights over CN between Jackson, Miss., and Hattiesburg.
“With CN being the industry leader in refrigerated service and the Port of Gulfport being one of the largest importers of green fruit in the U.S., we see this as a natural fit with great potential,” Rob Kusiciel, chief commercial officer at terminal operator Ports America, said in a statement.
Hurricane Katrina leveled Gulfport’s facilities in 2005. The port is now the third-largest container port on the Gulf of Mexico, among the top 20 U.S. container ports, and the second-largest importer of green fruit in the nation, according to the port authority.
Prior to Hurricane Katrina this port was nothing much. Had 1 pier extending out into Gulf from the beach and part of that pier was occupied with a CASINO Barge (The COPA). Port had gotten the Banana imports from New Orleans and had one simple crane to offload containers. But port was mostly for bulk imports like steel.
After storm Mississippi got all kinds of Federal aid to rebuild Port. Throw in some State money (came to like a 90% Federal to 10% State match) and now the port is more than 3 times it’s original size. Has 2 or 3 gantry cranes to unload containers with truck parking, grain storage, etc.
Rumor mill is they trying to get more Federal dollars to double the size again. But their is some push back. Only 2 ways to increase size. Build over municipal boat harbor to east or take Casino boat harbor to west. Also , motorist (Tourist) are already bitching about train traffic blocking Beach Boulevard (US Highway 90). Doubling the size of the port would probably double the train movements across the highway. As big a deal the port is, it is a distant second to the tourism industry on the coast
To Mr. Strawbridge: .
More correctly: The term might be ” Monkey Pickles”….Green Bananas off of the ships on the Gulf Coast Ports, were moved North( and NW) in iced, rail reefers. Post WWII, a number of O.T.R. trucking companies, grew their reputations and businesses, by hauling that produce. It was “meat South, green Bananas North.”
Interestingly, It was via the many passenger trains of the Illinois Central ( in their Baggage Cars) (during the growing season) that rushed fresh strawberries from the South to Upper Midwest.
I’ll stick with “Monkey’s Uncle.”
I worked in intermodal market development and pricing at the ICG. I put a lot of effort into getting bananas on the railroad. I met with a lot of resistance from the operating department and very strong resistance from the absolute morons in the freight loss and damage claims department.
The later could not get by the fact that intermodal was deregulated and their government masters were gone. They had internalized the oppression which made it complete. Their desire was to follow the government dictates instead of putting profitable loads on the railroad.
So to see the CN at least try this is astounding to me.
Congratulations, Mississippi! Mississippi Export RR is a locally-owned shortline serving this port for many years! They feed money into the local economy !
Everyone needs to remember that CN will ALWAYS treat customers, employees @ localities according to the Hunter Harrison book of ” disregard & abuse”! Should CP-KC trust them?. Ask how Miss. Exp. feels about this.
Actually MSE runs from Pascagoula to Evanston, MS. Gulfport is served by CSX, CPKC and now CN. But you are correct in that MSE is one of the best shortline railroads in the nation.
Of course, they will have to factor in known delays in this business. For reference search Jerry Clower Hundred Car Banana Train…
Just make sure you have a possum to sell.
Well I’ll be a monkey’s uncle.