CSX Intermodal Route Changes

Since Katrina hit the Gulf Coast, there has been a rumor floating around that CSX has rerouted intermodal traffic over other corridors. This could have been done because the ports in Mobile, Biloxi, and New Orleans. Could they be sending the intermodals down to Hampton Roads, Jacksonville, Charleston, or Atlanta via old C&O, L&N, or Clinchfield lines?

Most of the CSXT intermodal traffic between the western U.S. and the eastern U.S. that traveled through the New Orleans gateway was re-routed through the Memphis and St. Louis gateways to / from their eastern destinations / originations.

Port facilities were rather heavily damaged at New Orleans, Biloxi and Mobile, as was some sections of CSXT track. Recovery approaching 100 % very soon.

ACLfan

You would think it would make more sense to divert the traffic to places like Hampton Roads or Jacksonville. I could see that happening for Intermodal traffic for Mobile Bay. But wouldn't it make more sense and save alot of time, since a majority of the intermodals come out of Queensgate Yard in Cincinnatti, just to head to a port or terminal on the East Coast?

Well, what ports can be used to handle the diverted container units are affected by the destinations of the intermodal units coming into and going out of the U.S., and the maritime shipping companies that are handling the intermodal containers.

Most shipping companies have service contracts with certain ports.

Secondly, the handling capacities of various ports are factors in whether or not they can be used to handle the diverted traffic from the Gulf ports affected by Hurricane Katrina.

It seems that that Atlantic ports along the southern U.S., along with ports in Texas and west Louisanna, are being used to handle the diverted container shipments, based on the routes of individual maritime shipping companies.

ACLfan