Quality Begins Intermodal Rail Service
Quality Carriers Inc. said it has started a bulk rail intermodal service for North America because of capacity issues due to the driver shortage.
The Tampa, Florida-based bulk chemical carrier said it expects the capacity crunch to become even more severe as the chemical industry continues “dramatic” expansion from the low cost of natural gas.
“Our new intermodal offering allows us to provide our customers with greater shipping capacity while freeing up driver capacity to allow us to leverage our strongest asset, our drivers, in more efficient ways,” Quality Carriers President Randy Strutz said in a statement.
The carrier said it tested the service with its Western rail partner early this quarter and has begun shipments with its largest customers.
“Our initial focus has been in major chemical corridors between the Gulf Coast and California and the Gulf Coast and greater Chicago. We expect to ramp up our market coverage to the East Coast, Canada, and Mexico over the next few quarters,” Strutz said.
