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Shippers

BNSF gives shippers a fast, reliable transportation solution that helps cut costs, reduce emissions and realize the advantages of working with the finest supply chain partners.

Fast & Reliable Service

  • BNSF Intermodal delivers transit times that are comparable to over-the-road-only options.
  • BNSF operates the fastest intermodal network in the industry, transporting goods 20 percent faster than the next leading intermodal provider, so you can minimize inventory, hit in-store delivery dates and avoid stock-outs.
  • In fact, in many routes, BNSF provides speeds that meet or even beat single-driver, over-the-road transit times.
  • BNSF is best-in-class for safe and damage-free shipments.
  • See how fast you can ship with BNSF’s Intermodal Advisor Tool.
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Lower Transportation Costs

  • Incorporating intermodal rail can reduce your supply chain costs.
  • BNSF customers typically save 5-15% per load with BNSF Intermodal vs. all-highway options.
  • In 2011 alone, BNSF collaborated with shippers and carriers to convert more than 100,000 over-the-road only loads, delivering over $63 million in supply chain savings to BNSF’s Intermodal customers.
  • See how much you can save with BNSF’s Intermodal Advisor Tool.
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Premier Portfolio of Carrier Partners

  • BNSF Intermodal collaborates with leading ocean carriers and motor carriers to provide capacity and seamless service.
  • More than 120 carriers and 3PLs choose to partner with BNSF
    • 100 domestic transportation partners offer services for Full Truckload, Reefer Truckload, Less than Truckload (LTL), Parcel, Flatbed, 3PLS and IMCs.
    • 20 ocean partners provide comprehensive import/export services on a global scale.
  • As the only railway to work exclusively with asset-based carriers who own their own equipment, BNSF ensures you have access to virtually unlimited capacity even at peak times.
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A Greener Solution

  • Rail is the most environmentally friendly mode of surface transportation.
  • Shipping by rail reduces emissions, saves fuel and relieves highway congestion.
  • Shipping by BNSF Intermodal reduces 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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10

Common Myths
About Intermodal

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1

Myth: Intermodal is not as reliable as over-the-road.

Reality: BNSF’s vast 32,500-mile network and ability to offer its shippers all the capacity they require allow BNSF Intermodal to deliver shipments with an on-time performance that rivals over-the-road only options. The most service-sensitive shippers, including the nation’s top LTL, refrigerated and parcel carriers, rely on BNSF Intermodal to move nearly a million shipments a year.

2

Myth: Speed of intermodal is not truck competitive.

Reality: BNSF operates the fastest intermodal network in the industry. In fact, in many routes, BNSF provides speeds that meet or even beat single-driver, over-the-road transit times.

3

Myth: Intermodal is just too complicated.

Reality: BNSF works closely with shippers to create a simple, effective intermodal transportation solution. A wealth of e-tools and apps help simplify the process. The Intermodal Advisor Tool, for example, makes it easy for shippers to see transit times, cost savings, products and services available and emission reductions.

4

Myth: TMS/bid practices don’t optimize intermodal use.

Reality: BNSF helps its customers approach bids in a way that ensures they receive not only the broadest responses and most options from carriers, but optimal solutions that best meet their needs.

5

Myth: Intermodal requires extensive supply chain change.

Reality: BNSF works closely with its customers to create a transportation solution optimized to their needs and helps them address necessary changes in the supply chain.

6

Myth: I know where intermodal works.

Reality: With its own 32,500-mile network and partnerships with other railways and motor carriers, BNSF can create a seamless, door-to-door intermodal solution to virtually any market in the United States. Reconsider intermodal. You might be surprised where it can take your business.

7

Myth: More theft occurs with intermodal than truck.

Reality: BNSF is vigilant on matters of security. BNSF offers comprehensive safety and security services, and features its own uniformed police patrol to combat trespassing and cargo theft. Security breaches in intermodal transport are comparable to those in over-the-road only options.

8

Myth: Greater lading damage occurs when shipping intermodal.

Reality: BNSF is best-in-class and superior to over-the-road only options for safe and damage-free shipments. The BNSF Load and Ride Solutions team offers expertise and industry best-practice methods to properly load and brace freight.

9

Myth: I can never tell where my shipments are located.

Reality: BNSF offers multiple e-tools and apps to track shipments. Real-time Customized Tracking Reports give complete visibility of freight on BNSF’s Intermodal network.

10

Myth: Intermodal units often become stranded.

Reality: BNSF’s intermodal shipments achieve an on-time performance that rivals over-the-road only options. True, when a service interruption does occur, there is somewhat less flexibility with rail than with over-the-road only options. However, BNSF’s customers typically find the significant cost savings of intermodal outweigh the marginal impact of rare service interruptions.

 

Intermodal In Action

See How
Intermodal Works

See an interactive overview of the Intermodal process.


  • BNSF invested $3.9 billion of capital into its network in 2012.
  • 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 carried nearly 4.6 million intermodal shipments in 2011.

A Taste for Intermodal

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A Supply Chain
Tune-Up

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New
Transportation Tricks

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Crafting a More
Cost Efficient Solution

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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?

  • BNSF invested $3.9 billion of capital into its network in 2012.
  • 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 carried nearly 4.6 million intermodal shipments in 2011.
  • BNSF handles more intermodal shipments than any other Class I railroad.
  • Intermodal represents nearly 50% of BNSF’s business portfolio by volume.
  • BNSF handled 100% of the 2011 intermodal volume growth in the western U.S.
  • Intermodal trains are twice as fuel efficient as trucks.
  • A typical intermodal train takes the equivalent of 280 trucks off the highways.
  • 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 moves nearly a million shipments a year of LTL, parcel and perishable produce.
  • 18 of the top 20 global ocean carriers rely on BNSF Intermodal to reach inland markets.
  • BNSF Intermodal loads the equivalent of a trailer or container every 7 seconds.
  • 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