New ICTF Boosts Crowley’s Efficiency
The opening of Florida East Coast Railway’s (FEC) new, state-of-the-art intermodal container transfer facility (ICTF) adjacent to Crowley Maritime Corporation’s Port Everglades, Fla., terminal is providing Crowley customers with more efficient cargo handling and faster deliveries now that containers no longer need to be trucked via interstate highways to and from an off-site rail terminal, Crowley reported. Additionally, the strategic location of the 43-acre, near-dock station is allowing the company to handle bigger, heavier break bulk and out-of-gauge cargo more efficiently and cost effectively because of the shorter distance required for transit to the railhead.
“As one of the FEC’s largest intermodal customers, the location of the new ICTF is a win-win, not only for Crowley, but also for our shipping and logistics customers who are now benefitting from faster and more efficient cargo handling,” said Bob Weist, Crowley vice president. “The decision to open the facility in such close proximity to ours is illustrative of the importance of our partnership.”
Crowley has been one of FEC’s largest intermodal customers since the company established a terminal in south Florida. Working together, Crowley and FEC have been able to grow container traffic volume density in South Florida year after year by aligning Crowley’s Port Everglades rail transportation needs with FEC’s double-stack intermodal rail network which originates and terminates in Ft. Lauderdale. This new rail facility provides yet another opportunity for Crowley to service its liner and logistics customers with varied intermodal transportation options, something the company is proactively offering.
“We have begun educating our customers on the strategic benefits of having the ICTF literally in our backyard in Port Everglades,” said Weist. “Our break bulk and out-of-gauge customers are particularly enthusiastic about being able to have their cargo off the ship and on the rail in a fraction of the time. That’s good for everyone.”
By diverting an estimated 180,000 trucks from the roads by 2029, the ICTF is expected to reduce congestion on interstate highways and local roadways and reduce harmful air emissions. FEC plans to relocate its existing domestic intermodal service from Fort Lauderdale to the ICTF at Port Everglades, which is also expected to improve traffic flow near the area. The $73 million facility increases FEC’s available intermodal capacity from 100,000 to 450,000 lifts a year, which is expected to result in more domestic containers moving north as loads instead of empties, increasing the efficiency of the intermodal network.
crowley.com
