INTERMODAL SHIPPINGFREIGHT FORWARDERS & LOGISTICS GRAINS TRANSLOADING PROVIDERSINTERMODAL RAIL RAMPSRAILROAD INFORMATIONPORTS ON ALL FOUR COASTS
The intermodal container shipping system is tailor made to serve the identity preserved grain industry for global-export freight handling.
Intermodal container shipping is favored by many in the IP grain industry because containers can be loaded with bagged or bulk specialty grain near or at the farm source, sealed for identity preservation, and shipped throughout the system by truck, rail and ocean-bound ships to the end destination – all in the same container.
For efficiency and service in handling bulk grains, others will ship via truck and rail to port or intermediary destinations and transload the grain into containers for shipment to the final destination. Transloading facilities and operations provide an important role in the IP grain-handling system. A number of Specialty Soya and Grains Alliance member companies provide transloading services at Pacific Northwest ports and at other locations.
To learn more about the basics of the international intermodal shipping system, go to the World Shipping Council’s home page.
For more information on exporting U.S. grain in containers, please read these USDA guidelines.
Freight forwarding companies and logistics providers serve shippers by handling bookings of international cargo shipping on ocean vessels, rail and trucking for cargo owners. Freight Forwarders typically contract for vessel space with a number of steamship lines.
Non-Vessel Operating Common Carriers (NVOCC) is a term for closely related freight forwarding companies that commit in advance to a substantial amount of container volume, generally on multiple steamship lines, to the degree that they may offer space to shippers and other forwarders. NVOCC’s and forwarders need to be registered with the Federal Maritime Commission.
Freight forwarders and logistics providers also handle paperwork filings on behalf of cargo shipping customers, including bills of lading, customs clearance, and other requirements of steamship lines. They may also assist in arranging insurance for shipments at the request of their customers.
SSGA has several member freight forwarding companies that are experienced and may even specialize in arranging shipping of agricultural products, grain and oilseeds to global destinations.
Specialty Soya and Grains Alliance member freight forwarders and export transportation logistics supply firms include:
- GlobeRunners, Inc. based in the Midwest region in Oakdale, MN.
- Phone: (651) 925-1517 E-mail for more information
- Professional Export Services, Inc. in Eagan, MN.
- Phone: (651) 683-9520 Email for more information
- Ray-Mont Logistics America, Inc. in Spokane Valley, WA.
Phone (509) 280-6301 E-mail for more information
These firms have staff experienced in handling agricultural grain shipping and transportation to destinations worldwide.
The Specialty Soya and Grains Alliance member network includes several companies that provide grain transloading services for shippers that need products loaded into containers for shipping to customers overseas. Several are equipped to provide Bulk Grain handling, which involves transloading DDGS, soybeans, meal, wheat, pulses and other grains from rail hopper cars or trucks into containers. Some transloaders also offer or may specialize in transloading grain and ingredient products in bags or larger “super sack” totes from trucks or rail box cars into containers. Some also provide warehousing and loading services.
SSGA has transloader members located in the Twin Cities and Chicago areas, western Wisconsin and elsewhere in the Midwest near container rail yards as well as at Pacific Northwest port areas and eastern Canada to serve grain shipped long distance by rail from inland U.S. ag production states.
Specialty Soya and Grains Alliance member transload companies include:
Ray-Mont Logistics America, Inc. offers their esteemed North American customers transloading facilities on both the Pacific and Atlantic coasts in Canada. As a pioneer in the art of transloading food-grade pulses, grains, seeds, and beans into ocean-bound containers, we also offer container storage possibilities and trucking solutions to the port and beyond. Our transloading terminals not only are efficient in terms of capacity and output, but our processes are certified and continue to lead the wave of innovation in the industry. Ray-Mont Logistics offers transloading logistic services coast to coast with facilities located in Montreal, Quebec, Vancouver and Prince Rupert, B.C.
Phone: (509) 280-6301 E-mail for more information
The prime inland intermodal rail ramps where containers are loaded onto deep-well rail cars for transporting containers to ports for exporters or for unloading inbound containers with cargo for importers are located at:
- BNSF Railroad’s Intermodal Facility – St. Paul, MN
- Canadian Pacific Railroad’s Shoreham Facility – Minneapolis, MN
- Canadian National Railroad’s Intermodal Facility – Arcadia, WI
- Canadian National Railroad’s Intermodal Facility – Chippewa Falls, WI
- Union Pacific Railroad’s Intermodal Facility – Council Bluffs, IA
- BNSF Railroad’s Intermodal Facility – Omaha, NE
- BNSF Railroad’s Logistics Park Chicago – Elwood, IL
- Union Pacific Railroad’s Global IV Intermodal Facility – Joliet, IL
- All of the major Class One railroads have intermodal facilities in and around the Greater Chicago area.
Chicagoland Intermodal Map - Canadian National Railroad’s Intermodal Facility – Joliet, IL
- Canadian Pacific Railroad’s Intermodal Facility – Bensenville, IL
- Many Class One railroads have intermodal facilities in the Kansas City area.
Kansas City Intermodal Map - BNSF Intermodal Facility Guide
- Canadian National’s North American Intermodal Terminals
- Canadian Pacific’s North American Intermodal Terminals
- Union Pacific’s United States Intermodal Terminals
The Upper Midwest has extensive railroad grain shipping capacity for bulk grain shipping, and for intermodal container grain shipping.
Shortline railroads providing grain transportation in the Midwest include:
- Iowa Northern Railway Company
- Progressive Rail Inc
Red River Valley & Western Railroad - Twin Cities and Western Railroad
For more information on the major Class 1 railroads, go to the following websites:
Ports on all four coasts – U.S. and Canadian West Coast, East Coast, Gulf Coast, and “North Coast” Great Lakes – serve bulk and container grain exporters shipping from the Midwest Region. SSGA network member ports include:
Duluth Cargo Connect – Twin Ports of Duluth, Minnesota & Superior, Wisconsin
Duluth Cargo Connect
Kate Ferguson
1200 Port Terminal Drive
Duluth, MN 55802
Phone: (218) 727-8525 | Fax: (218) 727-6888
Services: Port Terminal – Load/unload ships, warehousing, North American distribution, bagging plant. Served by four railroads – BNSF, CP, CN & UP. Excellent highway access.
Northwest Seaport Alliance – Seattle & Tacoma
The Northwest Seaport Alliance
Steve Balaski
PO Box 2985
Tacoma, WA 98401
Phone: (253) 888-4403
Services: The ports of Seattle and Tacoma joined forces to unify management of our marine cargo facilities and business to strengthen the Puget Sound gateway and attract more marine cargo and jobs for the region. The Northwest Seaport Alliance is the first of its kind in North America. Located in the Pacific Northwest in Washington state, The Northwest Seaport Alliance offers shorter U.S.-to-Asia transits, as well as a deep connection to Alaska. The alliance is a port development authority governed by the two ports as equal members, with each port acting through its elected commissioners. Each port is governed by five commissioners elected at large by the citizens of their respective counties.
Port of Longview – Longview, WA
Port of Longview
Laurie Nelson-Cooley
10 Port Way
Longview, WA 98632
Phone: (360) 425-3305
Fax: (360) 425-8650
Services: International trade has grown since 1921, and the types of cargos handled by the Port have diversified. Our cargo handling specialties include all types of bulk cargos and breakbulk commodities such as steel, lumber, logs, grain, minerals, fertilizers, pulp, paper, wind energy, project and heavy-lift cargo.
Port of Prince Rupert – Prince Rupert, British Columbia
Port of Prince Rupert
Brian Friesen
200-215 Cow Bay Rd
Prince Rupert, BC V8J-IA2
Phone: (250) 627-2539
Fax: (250) 627-8980
Services: The Port Authority is responsible for the overall planning, development, marketing and management of the commercial port facilities within Prince Rupert Harbour. This includes ensuring competitive, efficient and timely responses to customer needs and business opportunities. It also means ensuring we facilitate these opportunities in in a manner that is safe, responsible, and sustainable. Our vision is to be a leading trade corridor “gateway” between North American and Asian markets. Our mission is to develop and grow the Port of Prince Rupert in an economical, safe and environmentally sound manner.
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