Union Pacific (UP) Railroad presented a series of practical improvements for cross-border intermodal shipping between the United States and Mexico to create a supply chain. more efficient, as well as supporting the strategy against near-the-beach (relocation of companies to centers of consumption).
“As the near-shore trend drives more cross-border shipments between countries, intermodal transportation offers a good alternative to long-haul trucking,” he said.
He explained that as manufacturers build new supply chains for products entering and leaving new facilities in the country, Intermodal offers a profitable, reliable and sustainable alternative. So, when choosing, you should have the best practices:
- Find the shortest distance: Different intermodal providers offer different routes into and out of Mexico. Finding a supplier whose network offers the shortest distance between your shipment’s origin and destination will help your shipments arrive faster and can translate into lower transportation costs.
- Find the fastest; different routes offer different transit times. Distance is a factor that affects travel time, but you also want a supplier that can help you minimize the time it takes to clear customs and have relationships with other railroads so you can cross the border smoothly.
- Look for reliable service. You’ll want to ask how often the railroad provides service and how many gates it serves. Railroads that pick up and deliver six or seven days a week offer greater reliability. Likewise, the more gateways a railway serves, the easier it is to reroute if an access point is congested or temporarily blocked.
- Consider ease of use: Making changes to your shipping combination can be a difficult process at times. Will the railroad offer a team to help you with your shipments and make the process easier for you?
- Ensuring Security: Your cargo is valuable and often expensive. You’ll want to make sure your intermodal provider has a security team dedicated to keeping containers safe from theft, as well as guarded storage for high-value cargo. Tip: Learn more about how railroads keep cross-border shipments safe.
UP says the right intermodal provider will depend on the nature of your shipments, even if the company offers the services Eagle Premium and Falcon Premium.
He recalled that Eagle Premium was a continuous, all-rail service that avoided congested border crossings, helping shipments arrive on time. Working with Grupo México Transportes (GMXT), the service is between Monterrey and Chicago Yard Center and Detroit, from Monterrey to Lathrop, California, Los Angeles, and Seattle, while from Silao to Chicago and Memphis, and the interline of Canada and the east of the United States via Chicago.
As for the Falcon Premium, he considered that it was faster and more reliable between Canada and Mexico. Three railroads, Canadian National, UP, and GMXT, connect with each other to travel to Mexico and Canada via Chicago and Eagle Pass. Focused on shipping auto parts, food, FAK (freight of all types), appliances, and temperature-controlled products.
“Compared to other solutions, Union Pacific’s route from Mexico to Chicago saves cities in the eastern United States and Canada hundreds of miles of cross-border intermodal shipping, resulting in the shortest route, most efficient delivery time, reliability, and cost savings,” he said.
He reiterated that the Eagle Premium and Falcon Premium provide customers with an environmentally responsible truck replacement in a critical trade corridor, “in time to serve companies that have recently moved to Mexico.”
