Maritime and logistics firm Crowley has announced plans for a new multi-modal service linking trade from Mexico to the Midwest and into Canada, via the Port of Mobile.
The integrated ocean-and-rail service will combine Crowley’s new U.S.-Mexico ocean route — between Mobile and Tuxpan in the Mexican state of Veracruz — with Canadian National Railway networks in the U.S. and Canada.
“With this collaboration with Canadian National, Crowley has further expanded market reach for our customers and the communities they serve with the fast, reliable transport of goods across the entirety of North America,” said Brett Bennett, senior vice president and general manager, Crowley Logistics. “Leveraging each side’s unmatched supply chain capabilities and commitment to customers long-term, we are creating even more efficiencies to advance the power of today’s innovative and demanding global supply chain.”
The weekly shipping service between Mobile and Tuxpan can carry up to 1,000 20-foot equivalent unit (TEU) containers and more than 200 refrigerated containers, Crowley says in announcing the new service, adding that the ocean route “avoids inland transportation congestion at the U.S.-Mexico border.”
From Mobile, rail service will transport containers to Chicago, Detroit, Minneapolis, Memphis and more U.S. cities, plus Canadian cities of Toronto, Montreal and more.
“We are pleased to be joining Crowley with our extensive inland rail network for this innovative service. We share similar values about providing solutions for complex supply chain needs, and we are excited to support their first venture via the Port of Mobile into the U.S. and Canada,” said Doug MacDonald, chief marketing officer of CN. “We can better serve our customers in Mexico, the U.S. and Canada by assisting Crowley in providing a reliable, and seamless door-to-door customer experience. The new service will enable more efficient supply chain corridors and increased market access throughout North America.”
The Alabama Port Authority, which operates the Port of Mobile, has an existing Mobile-to-Mexico ocean-rail service via the terminal railway, CG Railway, which is a joint venture of Seacor Holdings and Genesee & Wyoming.
While CG Railway provides a traditional rail service, rolling loaded rail cars on and off special ships, the new service will provide Mobile-to-Mexico service for containers.
“The Alabama Port Authority is proud to deliver optionality daily, and the new service with Crowley and CN is a great addition to what we already offer,” said Port Director John Driscoll. “We have the capacity to handle growth and are actively invested in more than $700 million of expansion projects. With an average turn time of 51 minutes and intermodal connectivity to Chicago in only three days, the Port of Mobile’s efficient and fluid operations make Alabama an increasingly important hub for containerized trade.”
The port has been setting container shipping records throughout the past year.