Special train at Port of Wilmington signals completion of Carolina Corridor
A special CSX train carrying double stacks of 100 empty 40' refrigerated containers for Yang Ming Line arrived at the Port of Wilmington on Monday, December 7, in conjunction with the completion of the National Gateway Carolina Corridor.
A National Gateway news release announced the completion of double stack clearances between the Port of Wilmington and Charlotte, North Carolina. (National Gateway Announces Completion of Carolina Corridor.)
The new, double-stack cleared section of track will link into an improved freight rail corridor designed to enhance the flow of goods throughout the nation. It was funded through a partnership between CSX Transportation, the State of North Carolina, NCDOT and the North Carolina State Ports Authority.
The refrigerated containers were brought to the Port of Wilmington to support strong export demand. Frozen poultry and pork rank in the top five export commodities at the Port with over 93,000 tons exported last year.
"We are pleased to partner with CSX Transportation and the State Ports Authority to provide double-stack intermodal capability for our retail markets," said North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) Secretary Eugene A. Conti, Jr. "This is an important component of North Carolina's logistics plan, which will benefit regional businesses and the economy."
"The Port of Wilmington is looking forward to having full connectivity to the National Gateway initiative for intermodal service. We provide quick turnaround for unit trains with enhanced on-dock rail including a new 5,300-foot interchange track and modern reach stackers that are ideally suited to handle containers between the port terminal and intermodal rail network," said Glenn Carlson, vice president of business and economic development, North Carolina State Ports Authority.
"We are pleased that CSX has offered a service between the Port of Wilmington and Portsmouth," said Jared Hollemon, port manager-Wilmington & Norfolk, Yang Ming America.
"Historically, Yang Ming Line has repositioned empty reefers via coastwise vessel move or trucking from nearby ports. Having a third option would allow us to stay ahead of the demand."
For more information about the National Gateway, visit www.nationalgateway.org