NS, Florida East Coast to expand joint intermodal service

Norfolk Southern Railway and Florida East Coast Railway (FEC) today announced they're expanding their international and domestic interline services.

The Florida Express service, which is already being leveraged by anchor customer Crowley, creates a two-way transportation solution for customers moving goods between south Florida and Charlotte, North Carolina, the railroads said in a press release.

"We are focused on providing reliable service and generating smart, sustainable growth opportunities for our customers," said NS Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer Ed Elkins. "This new, two-way transportation solution between western North Carolina and south Florida accomplishes both goals, and we look forward to helping our domestic and international customers unlock the value of this service."

The new service builds on an existing partnership between the two railroads that relies on a steel wheel interchange in Jacksonville, Florida, operating in both directions and expanding services for customers accessing global markets through south Florida.

A U.S.-based logistics, marine and energy solutions company, Crowley will engage the Florida Express to help customers in the United States, Central America and the Caribbean Basin expand their options for moving textile goods to and from Charlotte for garment and apparel manufacturing. North Carolina leads the nation with nearly 20 % of U.S. textile exports, the largest textile mill industry and more than 395 textile manufacturers.

In the future, the Florida Express will accommodate customers moving produce, poultry and other commodities in the agriculture industry, NS and FEC officials said.