BIT, located in the prime logistics area of Greater Toronto, is Canada's largest rail intermodal terminal and a key component in CN's distribution network -- almost 60 per cent of the railway's system-wide intermodal business touches the terminal. CN's rail intermodal traffic consists primarily of containerized cargoes moving in cooperation with other transportation modes.
Claude Mongeau, president and chief executive officer of CN, said: "Intermodal is one of CN's fastest-growing business segments. We are investing in new track, equipment and other infrastructure improvements at BIT to take our intermodal service offering to the next level in efficiently distributing growing overseas container traffic reaching our network over Canadian ports as well as rising domestic intermodal shipments across Canada. These investments will increase supply chain efficiencies for our customers and help them grow their businesses.
"CN Intermodal is an increasingly attractive transportation solution as fuel prices rise and freight customers put greater emphasis on sustainable options. We offer the marketplace competitive rail transit times and reliable drayage services in an environmentally friendly package."
Charles Campbell, managing director of NYK Line (Canada) Inc., part of the international marine transportation company and the NYK Group, said: "As is evident in many areas of CN's intermodal operations, we have seen major improvements at Brampton Intermodal Terminal. The shortening of turn times at BIT reflects this effort. In general, the service level across the CN network has improved as CN continues to listen and react to customer input."
CN's BIT improvements include:
- The installation of new track and extension of existing track to increase rail capacity by close to 15 per cent;
- reation of approximately 25 per cent more ground space for international containers by staging CN containers offsite;
- Purchasing five new cranes in 2011, after the acquisition of five new ones last fall, and,
- Increasing the labour force by about 10 per cent in 2011.
These customer-focused initiatives follow construction of new entry and exit lanes for truckers last December that increased BIT's gate throughput by 33 per cent.
BIT's 2011 intermodal volumes through the end of April increased by 12 per cent over figures for the comparable period of 2010.
CN's total 2010 intermodal volumes increased by 17 per cent over 2009 to 1,455,000 units, while intermodal revenues last year rose by 18 per cent to C$1,576 million.
Mongeau said: "CN's capacity improvements at BIT reflect our strategic agenda of operational and service excellence. By anticipating our customers' transportation needs, our innovation and supply chain collaboration focus can help them expand profitably and compete more effectively."
