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  • Export Grain

  • For topics on Class I and II passenger and freight operations more general in nature and not specifically related to a specific railroad with its own forum.
For topics on Class I and II passenger and freight operations more general in nature and not specifically related to a specific railroad with its own forum.

Moderator: Jeff Smith

 #1431622  by Gilbert B Norman
 
"Back in my industry day (1970-81) ", here is how grain was handled:

https://goo.gl/images/hz8cjw" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

During peak periods, the ever faithful Boxcar was pressed into service:

https://goo.gl/images/hzNdQR" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Now today I learn that export grain is being handled.in Crowley containers - and that granaries are less than happy the maritime companies will "sock it to 'em":

https://www.wsj.com/articles/shipping-c ... 1494813660" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Fair Use:
Since last year, 11 large container shipping companies, including Denmark’s Maersk Line and Germany’s Hapag-Lloyd , have entered three new cooperative operating arrangements, or alliances, affecting 90% of shipments on global trade routes. The pacts aim to cut costs and reduce overcapacity, and commodity producers expect they will result in fewer and larger vessels calling on a smaller number of U.S. ports.

That is a big concern to farmers who ship certain products—such as hay, cotton, lumber, almonds and frozen beef—in steel containers. U.S. freight rates so far haven’t risen much, but they will before long, because of lessened competition, says Robert Sinner, a North Dakota soybean grower and exporter. “The bottom line is, we’re going to have fewer choices” in making export shipments, he says.
I guess my question is how widespread is the.practice of using containers for dry bulk commodities become?

Enquiring mind wants to know.
 #1433138  by JayBee
 
A bigger problem for farmer's is just getting containers. Lots of Maritime containers at West Coast ports, not enough to meet demand in places like Minneapolis or Kansas City. Plus the railroads have little incentive to reposition them.