Everyone across the intermodal industry has been affected by the extended freight slump in the years since the pandemic. While that has created challenges for all of us, it has also provided an opportunity for companies committed to growth to become more customer-focused and efficient and, thus, be better prepared to service shippers’ needs when demand returns. While many in our industry are retrenching to wait out the downturn, we have continued investing in fleet upgrades so we are prepared to manage customer volumes as they grow when demand returns to more normal levels. New initiatives will enhance domestic intermodal services, such as equipping chassis with GPS to improve visibility, drive terminal efficiency, and deliver even higher quality. Products tailored to the marine chassis needs of BCOs will also be vital because many of those companies are showing greater interest in chassis to strengthen their supply chains during this downturn.
Regarding the potential Union Pacific-Norfolk Southern merger, we believe there are tremendous opportunities ahead for growth in intermodal. UP and NS have pointed to it as a catalyst for such growth, and the other major railroads have recently announced more robust intermodal service offerings with that same result in mind. At DCLI we are focused on partnering with all the Class I railroads across North America to support growth in both the domestic and international markets while ensuring we can meet our customers’ chassis needs along the way.