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Kansas City Southern is trying to buck a long-time trend. Traditionally, railroads haven't mined business opportunities at ports. But since 2001, KCS has been working to combine the strengths of railroads, ports and steamship lines to create a seamless integrated transportation service.

Now, the Class I has branded its port service marketing arm as "Ports Plus." The railroad plans to offer point-to-point pricing, providing overseas customers a single contact point and rate from origin to destination. KCS Director of Port Development Ron Bird — the only on-site railroad port representative in the Gulf Coast region, according to a prepared statement — will manage the new service.

To obtain information on Ports Plus, shippers can call 816-983-1791, log onto www.kcsi.com/customer/cus_ps.html or send an email to Ports.Plus@kcsr.com.

KCS plans to release marketing materials on the service in winter.