CP debuts interline service from Mexico to Chicago

Canadian Pacific announced today it has launched the first dedicated intermodal train between Lazaro Cardenas in Michoacan, Mexico, and the U.S. Midwest.

CP worked with Kansas City Southern on an interline basis to launch the first Lazaro Cardenas-to-Chicago train, which was born out of the need to avoid excessive delays due to the unprecedented and ongoing supply chain challenges affecting North America's West Coast, CP officials said in a press release.

The first train carrying containers offloaded at Lazaro Cardenas arrived Tuesday morning at CP's Bensenville Yard in the Chicago area. Total transit time from vessel arrival at Lazaro to train arrival in Chicago was just seven days, CP officials said.

The Mexico-to-Midwest train is a sign of things to come if the Surface Transportation Board (STB) approves the merger between CP and KCS, said CP President and CEO Keith Creel. The combined railroad would be called Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC).

"With STB approval, CPKC will work with our customers and invest in new infrastructure and train services to unlock the full potential of the combined network to offer unmatched supply chain alternatives and benefits compared to other rail options through congested ports and a real alternative to highway-clogging trucks," Creel said. "I would envision creating a new Mexico Midwest Express interline service that could deliver all of these benefits."