Union Pacific started the construction of a state-of-the-art grain transload terminal in Chicago within its Global IV intermodal terminal in Joliet, Illinois, that will reduce supply-chain costs for agricultural producers and processors.
The construction began this month, with an estimated completion by Q4 2021. Once fully operational, the terminal will have the capacity to process 50,000 containers per year.
The Global IV transload facility will be managed by JCT, which is a 50/50 joint venture between Consolidated Grain and Barge Co. and Gavilon Grain, LLC.
The transload terminal will be open to all Midwest agricultural producers and processors, expanding connection opportunities to both empty containers and Union Pacific’s extensive West Coast port terminal network.
The Global IV 785-acre facility expands Union Pacific’s current central and western Chicago coverage to include the rapidly growing southwest Chicago area. It provides access to all major traffic lanes, and is situated to take advantage of UP’s fastest East/West service lane. The terminal provides capacity and improve operations for the traffic in Chicago area.
“This facility will support the regional agriculture economy by providing reduced supply-chain costs and efficient loading support for exporting grain products, whole grains and oilseeds. By colocating on site at G4, we create greater efficiencies within the supply chain,” Kari Kirchhoefer, the Union Pacific Vice President – Marketing and Sales Premium said.
Regional producers and processors will be able to transport their product by truck to Global IV, where it will be transloaded into intermodal marine containers for shipment by rail to West Coast ports, then loaded onto ocean carriers and shipped to overseas markets.
The programme will offer greater access to containers for exporters and faster turnaround times for ocean carriers and their containers.
Consolidated Grain and Barge Co. operates an extensive network of grain facilities across the Midwest. Gavilon Group connects producers and consumers of food, feed and fuel, linking agricultural supply with demand through its global supply chain network.
Recently, UP has announced that this year will put into commercial operation a new terminal in Southern California and in 2022 will open Idaho’s first rail terminal, currently under construction.
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