NS recognizes 60 chemical shippers for safety efforts

Norfolk Southern Corp. today announced that 60 chemical shippers will receive its Thoroughbred Chemical Safety Award for safe business practices in 2013.

Presented annually for the past 18 years, the award recognizes chemical manufacturers and facilities that ship at least 1,000 carloads of hazardous materials on NS without a single incident. In 2013, 55 corporations and five plants met the criteria. Collectively, the award-winning shippers safely transported more than 157,000 carloads of hazardous materials during the year, including industrial chemicals used to manufacture various consumer goods, crude oil, ethanol and fertilizers.

"We thank these customers for helping us demonstrate that rail is the safest, most efficient and environmentally friendly way to transport consumer goods," said NS Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Wick Moorman in a press release. "Their efforts might not make news headlines, but the safe movement of chemicals that are the building blocks to jobs and a strong economy is the good news story that occurs every day across our rail network."

The Class I works closely with chemical customers to ensure their products arrive safely to destination, such as by providing training in safe rail-shipping practices, NS officials said.