Intermodal Rail Cars News and Trends
Keep up to date on what's happening in intermodal rail car transportation
The use of intermodal rail cars for train car transportation is on the rise for a variety of reasons. First and foremost these types of rail cars are designed for use in transporting 20- and 40-foot containers. The containers can be easily lifted and transferred to the backs of tractor trailers and then onto ships, making it easy to move cargo from rail to road to sea.When learning about rail cars for sale or train cars for sale, consider intermodal rail car producers and shippers as viable options for transporting your cargo. This article will discuss intermodal rail cars news and trends that are important to know when comparing information about intermodal rail car makers and shipping companies.
1. Safety and security tracking of cargo on rail cars has grown very high tech.
2. C-TPAT certification is considered wise when dealing with intermodal rail cars or containers being shipped to the U.S.
3. Intermodal rail car leasing has become a viable option for transporting your products or cargo.
Learn about tracking devices for railroad cars
Highly technical tracking devices for containers are invaluable for the intermodal and rail car transportation industry. These devices incorporate GPS, Internet, cell phone communications and even sensing capabilities to make sure you know that your cargo is safe.
Try: PAR Technology has been working to improve intermodal rail car security since 2000. Their "Cargo Watch System" utilizes the technologies listed above to provide "real time visibility of cargo and containers." NewsGuide discusses the Port of Tacoma's efforts to test GPS tracking systems on intermodal containers.
Ensure C-TPAT certification for whomever you arrange to handle rail car shipments to the U.S.
The U.S. Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT) certification is recommended by the U.S. Customs and Border control. To obtain certification, transport companies must follow rigorous safety and security standards in exchange for more efficient Customs inspections and fast-track access on shipments across U.S. borders, as well as a host of other benefits. If any of your cargo needs to come in via a U.S. port, C-TPAT certification is highly advised from a safety, security and timeliness perspective.
Try: Read the article on CBS Interactive site BNET about the anticipated customer benefits when Pacer Stacktrain received its C-TPAT Certification in 2005. An article in Supply & Demand Chain Executive magazine discusses the benefits for NYK Logistics getting C-TPAT certified.
Leasing intermodal rail cars containers makes good business sense for many customers
Many find that leasing versus purchasing of intermodal rail cars provides flexibility in terms of the types of containers that can be utilized, and also allows for easier container replacement or upgrade when necessary.
Try: Beacon Intermodal Leasing offers its customers custom-tailored leases and a variety of container options. Informa Trade & Energy briefly summarizes Containerisation International magazine's Container Leasing Market Report, which is available for purchase. Sample pages and a brochure can be ordered for more information about market trends and statistics in the container leasing market.
- When calculating your transportation budget to ship goods or products in or out of the country, keep in mind that you are likely to incur additional fees. U.S. Port fees, for instance, run between $250-$350 depending on the size of your container. There is also a destination charge of approximately $100 for each container that leaves the country.
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