Per an article released by the Journal of Commerce Online today, July 15, the Union Pacific Railroad (UP) will stop all international intermodal service from the West Coast to its Global IV terminal in Joliet, Illinois, for up to seven days beginning early Monday. This drastic measure is designed to allow the UP the necessary breathing room so they can get the thousands of ocean containers currently in stacks at the Global IV terminal made available for delivery to their cargo owners.

The railroad confirmed the suspension will affect all US West Coast ports (the ports of Los Angeles, Long Beach, Oakland, and Tacoma). Per the JOC article, the suspension goes into effect at 11:59 pm PDT July 18.

It is our understanding that existing intermodal bookings in the system currently will be honored, but no new bookings will be allowed from the four West Coast ports until the suspension is lifted.

This extreme measure is needed to allow the UP to focus on the stacks of existing containers sitting at Global IV without chassis. It is believed the current stack is upwards of 3000 containers. The situation hit crisis level in June as was evident by the UP beginning to utilize their previously closed Global III terminal in Rochelle, IL, as an overflow yard. Per one Noatum Logistics’ Ocean carrier partner, as of the beginning of July, there were approximately 1800 containers sitting at Global III awaiting transfer to Global IV.

Noatum Logistics will continue to work with our numerous asset-based partners to seek solutions to meet our customers’ needs. We will continue to keep you informed of market updates as they become available.

If you have any questions, please contact your Noatum Logistics representative.