b'36American Journal ofTransportation ajot.comTransloading expertise drives Ray-Monts(ADOPTcontinued from page 34)can be challenging. Some of the barriers that prevent adoption include high initial investment costs for tech-North American expansionnology and infrastructure, and the expense of replac-ing outdated equipment. A lack of a skilled workforce By Julie Gedeon to manage and maintain automated systems is another issue. There are also concerns by some about cyber-Ray-Mont Logistics International Inc. is signifi- containerizedshipmentsand/orbaggedproductssecurity risks associated with automation.cantly expanding its North American operations as itfrom unit trains or hopper cars.p redictiveA nAlyticSp reventSi SSueS Andresponds to increasing but more fluctuating marketIn November 2020, Ray-Mont launched opera- e quipMentd OwntiMedemandsforitstransloadinglogisticsservicesintions at the Port of Seattle to primarily improve theWith or without automated equipment, ports can Canada and the United States. container traffic flow of U.S. agricultural products onuseAI-poweredanalyticstoanalyzemassivedata-Plans include the CANXPORT facilities underthe West Coast with additional transloading facilities. bases, including weather patterns, port congestion, and construction at the Port of Prince Rupert in BritishThenextspring,Ray-Montestablishedopera- historical shipping data, to prevent potential disruptions Columbia, as well as new forays into Norfolk, Vir- tionsinCharleston, West Virginia,todiversifyitsbefore they occur. There are also applications for equip-ginia, and Mobile, Alabama. operations to include forest productsspecifically,ment. Konecranes finds value in AI in the area of pre-Noneofthecurrentmarketuncertaintiesarepulp and newsprintfrom regional mills, as welldictive maintenance for a wide range of vehicles and dissuading Ray-Mont from its plans. Were bullishas resin. The petroleum byproduct is processed intoequipment. According to a company spokesperson, AI on export opportunities despite all the current tradeplasticized pellets that are then bagged and shrink- forecasts maintenance needs based on validated usage disputes because our customers are always lookingwrapped for shipment for remoulding into everythingand conditions. Customers can monitor fleets, forecast for new markets and we know people will need andfrom household containers to vehicle dashboards.service needs, and plan parts and labor efficiently.wantqualityCanadianandU.S.products,saysBusiness remains strong among overseas buyersThis information helps optimize performance, Volker Kluge, Ray-Monts chief marketing officer.who prefer to receive a set number of containersextendequipmentlifetime,preventsafetyissues The company has a proven track record. Franoison a weekly or bi-weekly basis rather than a hugecausedbyequipmentnotworkingproperly,and Raymond started it as Transport Ray-Mont truckingbulk shipment once a month or so. They prefer thereduce downtime.service in 1992partially naming it after his familylower upfront costs, and it takes less time and labourAnother recent addition to a ports technologic and the City of Montreal. He soon after purchased ato deal with deliveries. Some customers also lacktoolbox is the digital twin. Ports use digital twins used reach stacker from the Port of Montreal so thataccess to port facilities to handle bulk cargo. or virtual replicas of physical infrastructure to model, he and his drivers wouldnt have to wait for their vehi- However,containerizationdemandforagri- simulate, and optimize operations before implement-cles to be loaded or unloaded. Its from these humblecultural products has decreased from a decade agoing changes. This practice can improve throughput, beginnings that Ray-Mont Logistics was launched.for a variety of reasons that include customers seek- limit human errors, and reduce inefficiency.Withthefamilyenterprisewellestablishedining the lowest price cost per commodity, as well as Montreal and led by a second generation, specificallyCanadas new grain facilities being geared for bulkr educinge MiSSiOnS cAn beA ccOMpliSHed inM Anyw AySCharles Raymond, it expanded its operations in 2008shipments,Klugeshares.WevealsohadotherPortsareimplementingseveralstrategiesto to the Port of Vancouver. The expansion to the Westcountriesbecomingmajoragriculturalproducersreduce emissions, including replacing diesel-powered Coast was made in partnership with an agriculturalwhich increases competition for both Canadian andcranes, lift trucks, and tractors with electric or hydro-producer requiring transloading services for exports.American producers. genalternatives.Someportsprovideshore-to-ship The strong demand for agricultural exports ledSignificant marketplace uncertainty is an over- power, which allows ships to turn off their engines to a further expansion to the Port of Prince Rupert inarching factor across the sector with a lot of it relating towhilebeingdocked.Operationalefficienciesthat 2017 where Ray-Mont handles bulk commodities,(EXPERTISEcontinued on page 38) (ADOPTcontinued on page 38)AWARD-WINNINGWAREHOUSINGWarehousingFood-Grade DrayageAsset-Based Transportation Value-Added Services Rail-ServedTransporation Management Retail Distribution FDA RegisteredBrokerage E-commerce Fulfillment RC14001:2023LISA DIAZ -V.P. of Business Development904.446.4811www.totaldistribution.comTRUSTED. PROVEN. PROUDLY POSITIONED IN JACKSONVILLE.'