On October 17 Samskip launched a thrice-weekly intermodal service linking Melzo east of Milano with TMA Logistics’ Holland Cargo Terminal in Amsterdam in 24 h. The same locomotive is used throughout, operated by BLS, and arrivals coincide with shortsea sailings to Hull in the UK. The service is in addition to Samskip’s six weekly trains connecting Melzo and Rotterdam, which are co-ordinated with sailings to the UK, Ireland, Norway, Scandinavia and the Baltic States.
CSX has announced growth plans for its Northwest Ohio Intermodal Terminal, including a new service to and from the Port of New York & New Jersey, a haulage agreement with BNSF to enhance western access into the Ohio Valley, and a partnership with NorthPoint Development to build an adjacent logistics park.
On October 18 Canadian Pacific Railway announced Q3 revenues of C$1·9bn, its highest ever for any quarter, and a record-low quarterly operating ratio of 58·3. ‘This quarter really showed what our operating model and our 13 000-strong family of CP railroaders can do‘, said President & CEO Keith Creel. ‘It was a record by almost every measure and sets us up well for the remainder of the year and beyond. Our continued success comes from a commitment at every level of the organisation to deliver on the principles of precision scheduled railroading for our customers, our shareholders and the broader North American economy.‘
Uralvagonzavod has received Customs Union certification for its Type 33-5170 side dump wagon, 13-6851-06 flat wagon for palletised cargo, wheeled and tracked vehicles, timber and heavy containers, TM2-3 transporter for radioactive waste and TMB-2 road-rail vehicle.
Universal Logistics Holdings has acquired Specialized Rail Service, which offers freight handling services in Clearfield, Utah, and Las Vegas, Nevada.
The Short Line Safety Institute has received a $2·4m grant from the US Federal Railroad Administration enabling it to continue its safety training programmes. ‘This funding will allow us to develop and launch new programming to assist short line and regional railroads in filling the opportunity gaps identified through our ongoing Safety Culture Assessments conducted on short line and regional railroads‘, said SLSI Executive Director Tom Murta. Under development for roll out in 2019 is a programme designed to address an identified need for a formalised management training for small railways, including soft skills to assist with coaching employees.
On October 16 CSX announced Q3 net earnings of US$894m, up from US$459m in the same period last year. The operating ratio set a company Q3 record of 58·7 compared with 68·4 last year. Q3 revenue was up 14% to US$3·13bn, supported by broad-based volume growth, increases in fuel recovery, higher supplemental revenue and pricing gains. Expenses declined 2% year-on-year to US$1·84bn, as expenses associated with increased volume and higher fuel prices were more than offset by efficiency gains through its ‘scheduled railroading’ business model.