BNSF and Norfolk Southern (NS) have launched a new intermodal service from the ports of Seattle and Tacoma, announcing a partnership announced on April 2, 2025. The service will speed up shipping in the Pacific Northwest, particularly making shipments to Chicago three days faster.
What is Pacific Northwest Intermodal Service?
This new service will move freight from Seattle and Tacoma inland more quickly and efficiently. BNSF and NS developed this initiative in partnership with the Northwest Seaport Alliance (NWSA) to streamline international shipping and speed up access to inland destinations like Ohio. This new strategy will make freight more efficient as it travels from the ports of Seattle and Tacoma to Chicago.
Enhanced Port Services and Fast Shipping
With the new installations, port terminals have the capacity to build trains in less than two days, enabling high-density travel. This speeds up shipments to Chicago and Norfolk Southern hubs, eliminating delays and providing a more reliable transportation experience for shippers.
Reliability Increases with BNSF and NS Collaboration
BNSF and Norfolk Southern have simplified crew changes by consolidating all transit traffic at NS-Ashland in Chicago. This strategic move increases reliability for shippers while minimizing operational disruptions. It provides customers with more rail options and opportunities to reduce costs. Jon Gabriel, BNSF’s group vice president of consumer products, described the new initiative as a customer-focused innovation, emphasizing how costs are being reduced by 2025.
Market Share Gain and Productivity Increase
The ports of Seattle and Tacoma reported the lowest rail wait times in the country this year thanks to upgrades, helping them regain market share from their Canadian rivals in particular. Ports such as Vancouver and Prince Rupert had previously attracted carriers to Canadian National and Canadian Pacific Kansas City routes, but labor problems have shifted that traffic back to U.S. ports.
Benefits of Pacific Northwest Intermodal Service
The new partnership not only rapidly reduces transit times, but also provides shippers with cost-effective transportation options, helping businesses nationwide optimize their supply chains. “This partnership delivers the most value by meeting shippers’ needs,” said NWSA CEO John Wolfe.
The benefits of this service include reducing the travel time from the ship to Chicago by six days, making it the fastest rail option in North America from the Pacific Northwest. Norfolk Southern’s vice president of intermodal automotive, Shawn Tureman, called the partnership a big step toward providing reliable rail.
BNSF and Norfolk Southern’s Pacific Northwest intermodal service is dramatically improving international and domestic transportation services by offering faster, more efficient and more cost-effective transportation options. This collaboration is key to 2025, providing shippers with a competitive advantage and optimizing their supply chains.
