The Tampa Port Authority in the US has signed a letter of intent with Green Express (GX) to develop an on-dock transload and rail-served facility that will connect the Port of Tampa to the Midwest market region.
The new rail service will accommodate fresh fruit and vegetables, among other cargo, Americafruit has learned.
Operated by CSX Transportation, the new GX express service is a railroad which will provide two dedicated express trains per week, connecting Tampa and the Chicago/Kingsbury area in just 56 hours.
The GX train will serve a mix of refrigerated and dry products, offering great efficiencies to the food and agricultural industry in Florida and the Midwest markets, as well as providing ocean carriers serving these markets with a more efficient option, the port said in a press release.
The Green Express service presents “new efficiencies to international shippers and domestic retailers”, as well as exporters that require “fast, efficient supply chain solutions” for their operations.
“This service supports our efforts to make the Port of Tampa a major gateway for the Florida market and beyond,” explained Paul Anderson, president and CEO of the Tampa Port Authority.
Belinda Hess, director of marketing for Food & Consumer at CSX Transportation, added that CSX is proud to support the trend towards more rail shipments of fresh produce by offering a “creative and flexible pipeline from the farm to the table”.
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