bnsf for logisitics providers bnsf for motor carriers bnsf for ocean carriers bnsf for shippers

Ocean Carriers

BNSF works closely with ocean carriers to develop innovative services that are fast and reliable in reaching markets across North America.

A Broad Range of Services

  • BNSF seamlessly works with on-dock facilities that load directly to BNSF Intermodal trains or dray to a nearby Intermodal facility.
  • BNSF offers multiple service offerings, based on whether your customers want faster transit times or greater cost savings.
  • BNSF’s On-Dock Expedited service builds point-to-point trains – a single block train from one pier to one destination – at transits 1 to 2 days faster than standard BNSF containerized cargo schedules.

On-Dock

On-Dock STANDARD

  • The country’s most frequent and steady ocean container transit service

On-Dock EXPEDITED

  • Full train-load volume (minimum 250 FEU) loaded at one port terminal and billed to a single destination

Off-Dock

Off-Dock STANDARD

  • Drays from the ports to BNSF’s Los Angeles facility and connects to single destination trains with faster transit

Off-Dock EXPEDITED

  • Drays from the ports to BNSF’s Los Angeles facility and connects to the fastest intermodal schedules available in the market
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Speed & Reliability

  • BNSF’s Intermodal On-Dock Expedited service is the fastest international intermodal service in the industry, with transit times 1 to 2 days less than the standard intermodal service.
  • For example, BNSF can transport your containers on the 2,065-mile journey from Ports of LA/Long Beach to Logistics Park Chicago in just 87 hours.
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Access to Inland Markets

  • BNSF provides you with direct access to the country’s biggest and fastest-growing inland markets, including Dallas/Fort Worth, Kansas City, Chicago, Memphis, Atlanta and more.
  • BNSF is the only railway to offer direct service between the West Coast and Atlanta.
  • With connecting services, BNSF Intermodal offers access to all North America’s largest markets.
  • BNSF’s Transcon® route is double-tracked from LA to Chicago – and triple-tracked in key areas – to increase capacity and service options to markets including Memphis, Chicago, Kansas City and Atlanta.
    DFW to Port of LA example Port of LA to Detroit example
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Load/Load Solution

  • BNSF works closely with visionary ocean carriers to create innovative solutions to meet shippers’ needs.
  • One example is BNSF’s On-Dock Expedited service, which allows ocean carriers to move 250 FEUs on a single train, thus receiving faster transit from the pier to a single inland destination.
  • In addition, BNSF is the leader in developing export opportunities.
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West Coast Ports Presence

  • With a strong presence at major West Coast ports, BNSF plays a vital role in international trade.
  • BNSF offers on-dock or near-dock services at:
    • Los Angeles
    • Long Beach
    • Oakland
    • Portland
    • Seattle
    • Tacoma
    BNSF Intermodal Port Map
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A Greener Solution

  • Rail is by far the most environmentally friendly mode of surface transportation.
  • Shipping by rail reduces emissions, saves fuel and relieves highway congestion.
  • Shipping by BNSF Intermodal can help reduce your carbon emissions by 40-60%.
  • Intermodal trains are twice as fuel efficient as trucks.
  • A typical intermodal train takes the equivalent of 280 trucks off the highways.
  • Freight railroads transport over 43% of the nation’s freight volume, but account for just 2.1% of all transportation-related greenhouse gas emissions.
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  • BNSF handles more intermodal shipments than any other Class I railroad.
  • Intermodal represents nearly 50% of BNSF’s business portfolio by volume.
  • BNSF Intermodal accounted for 100% of the intermodal volume growth in the western U.S. in 2011.
  • Intermodal trains are twice as fuel efficient as trucks.

A Taste for Intermodal

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A Supply Chain
Tune-Up

Pep Boys Success Stories >

New
Transportation Tricks

Petco Success Stories >

Crafting a More
Cost Efficient Solution

Michaels Success Stories >

Taking the Lid off
Outbound Shipping

Container Store Success Stories >

Cooking Up a Better
Transportation Plan

Jack in the Box Success Stories >
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BNSF

Did You Know?

Did You Know?

Leadership

  • BNSF handles more intermodal shipments than any other Class I railroad.
  • BNSF carried over 4.6 million intermodal shipments in 2012.
  • Intermodal represents nearly 50% of BNSF's business portfolio by volume.
  • 18 of the top 20 global ocean carriers rely on BNSF Intermodal to reach inland markets.

Service

  • BNSF Intermodal trains can travel up to 1,000 miles a day.
  • BNSF is the only railway with direct service between the West Coast and Atlanta.
  • BNSF Intermodal serves more than 8,000 shippers a year.
  • BNSF ships more than 40 million packages for UPS between Thanksgiving and Christmas.
  • Right now, 300 BNSF Intermodal trains are carrying the equivalent of 50,000 truckloads.
  • BNSF Intermodal loads the equivalent of a trailer or container every 7 seconds.

Network

  • BNSF invested $3.9 billion of capital into its network in 2012.
  • Intermodal trains are twice as fuel efficient as trucks.
  • A typical intermodal train takes the equivalent of 280 trucks off the highways.
  • BNSF moves nearly a million shipments a year of LTL, parcel and perishable produce.
  • 98% of top U.S. importers have facilities within 200 miles of a BNSF Intermodal facility.
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Contact us

Call: 800-326-5999
Email: intermodal@bnsf.com

DFW to LA Shipping Example
LA to Detroit Shipping Example
BNSF Network Ports
BNSF Network Map