Trade: Miami, Portland (OR)

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PortMiami is promoting its capabilities in the intermodal chain linking Latin America and the U.S. Midwest. The Port of Portland has sold 5.4 acres of its Rivergate Industrial District property to BNSF Railway to meet the requirements of its burgeoning export vehicle trade.

PortMiami: Linking Chile to Chicago

PortMiami took delivery last month of its first shipment of 2014 Chilean seed corn. The corn seed was harvested in March, packed in containers for shipment to Miami and sent by rail to Chicago for sale on the Chicago Grain Exchange. In less than a week, the seed went from an ocean container to being ready for spring planting in areas including Iowa, Illinois and Indiana. This same intermodal link also can be used to carry Chilean fruits and vegetables to market and is being promoted in the port’s Faster is Fresher campaign.

The shipment is part of PortMiami’s growing intermodal initiative, matching products from Latin America to customers from the Midwestern United States.

PortMiami, in collaboration with FEC Railway, has restored its on-port freight rail system, creating a connection to the national rail system and expediting the movement of goods throughout Florida and the continental United States.

"With PortMiami’s recent expansion of its rail infrastructure, customers are able to save time and money, said Port Director Juan Kuryla, PPM®. "Using this route for the Chilean corn seed saves five days transit time at significant savings."

Portland (OR): Booming Auto Export Business Drives Port’s Rivergate Land Sale to BNSF Railway

Already one of the largest auto import gateways in the United States, the Port of Portland is also a fast growing gateway for auto exports. The improving market and recent influx of domestically produced vehicles for regional and international markets has prompted the port’s sale of 5.4 acres to BNSF Railway.

Located in Rivergate Industrial District, BNSF Railway's 27-acre North Rivergate Vehicle Facility is expanding operations and capacity to include enhanced administrative support, vehicle staging and parking. The adjacent port-owned property offered additional capacity and a rail easement to support expansion.

"BNSF Railway’s investment and growth plans for their auto business are aligned with the port’s business objectives to enhance the Portland region as a hub for auto logistics," said Joe Mollusky, real estate program manager for the port.

BNSF Railway’s automotive rail network provides access to automotive plants throughout the United States and Mexico. Cars and trucks are received by rail in BNSF Railway’s Rivergate facility, processed and then distributed by truck to auto dealerships or exported by ship.

Autos are handled at two of the Port of Portland’s four marine terminals. Until 2012, the port was primarily an import gateway, but automotive exports to Korea and China are now experiencing strong growth.

Exports to China began in October 2013, prompting a $2.8 million expansion of Auto Warehousing Company’s vehicle processing facility at the Port’s Terminal 6.