#United States #Atlanta #Norfolk Southern #Jaguar Transport #freight capacity

Introduction

In a strategic move to reinforce its freight operations and expand capacity, Norfolk Southern Corporation has announced a partnership with Jaguar Transport Holdings. This collaboration is set to enhance local services and unlock new growth opportunities for customers in the northeast metropolitan Atlanta area.

Partnership Overview

The partnership will see Jaguar Transport take the reins in local switching, manage Norfolk Southern's Doraville transload terminal, and invest in essential infrastructure improvements to accommodate increased freight volumes. With this collaboration, customers are anticipated to benefit from quicker, dedicated rail connections for their first and final mile freight needs.

Stefan Loeb, Norfolk Southern's Vice President of Business Development, explained the intent behind the partnership, stating, "This deal is completely focused on freight growth, delivering increased capacity, and providing expanded local service in the important metro Atlanta market." He emphasized the critical role that short lines and transload operations play in Norfolk Southern's growth strategy, acknowledging Jaguar's extensive expertise in this area.

Capacity Expansion Through Local Service

This partnership aims to improve rail and transload services, effectively bolstering first- and final-mile connectivity. The Doraville industrial rail corridor, strategically located near the major I-285 and I-85 highways, caters to a cluster of businesses in northeast Atlanta. By enhancing local switching and transload access, the arrangement promises seamless coordination for regional shippers reliant on truck-to-rail connectivity, ensuring dependable local service.

The collaboration is projected to stimulate growth at Norfolk Southern's Doraville transload facility, leading to advancements such as:

• - Supporting freight growth across the corridor
• - Facilitating new industrial and warehouse developments
• - Increasing switching opportunities, transloading capability, and interchange fluidity for rail services

Jaguar Transport's Commitment

Jaguar Transport is set to make crucial capital improvements to expand yard capacity at the Doraville site, which will support expected growth moving forward. Operating multiple short line railroads and transload facilities nationwide, Jaguar has a noted history of significantly boosting volume growth after taking over local operations.

Tim Enayati, Jaguar Transport's Senior Vice President of Commercial Development, expressed gratitude for Norfolk Southern's confidence in them. "We are committed to delivering exceptional service and being a reliable growth partner for Norfolk Southern in Atlanta," he remarked.

Dan Price, Senior Vice President of Operations at Jaguar Transport, echoed these sentiments, highlighting that safety and reliability will be the central focus from the outset. "This corridor is vital to our customers, and we aim to foster discipline, responsiveness, and trust to support future growth in the region."

Looking to the Future

The agreement with Jaguar is representative of Norfolk Southern's broader strategy aimed at utilizing targeted partnerships to extend their network's reach. The aim is to improve service driven by local demand while simultaneously unlocking new growth opportunities. Furthermore, this strategy aligns with Norfolk Southern's long-term vision of combining operations with Union Pacific. Through this partnership, Jaguar also solidifies its already existing collaborative relationship with Union Pacific, creating an operational framework that supports local market growth across a transcontinental network.

About Norfolk Southern

Established in 1827, Norfolk Southern Corporation and its predecessor entities have played a pivotal role in transporting goods essential for the U.S. economy. Today, the company operates an extensive freight transportation network geared towards customer-centric operations. Norfolk Southern's commitment to sustainability is evident, as they help customers avoid around 15 million tons of carbon emissions annually by transitioning to rail transport.

The organization handles over 7 million carloads each year, spanning a diverse range of goods from agriculture to consumer products, while being the leading railroad for automotive shipping volumes in the U.S.

About Jaguar Transport Holdings

Based in Joplin, Missouri, Jaguar Transport is a forward-looking transportation and logistics company. Focusing on safety, team culture, exceptional customer service, and innovation, Jaguar has been operating since 2018 and currently manages thirteen short line railroads alongside several other rail-served sites across the country. For more information, visit www.jag-transport.com