2 New Ports Aim to Cut Wait Time & Increase Efficiency for Inland Freight

Long wait times and an increase in the volume of shipments has made it difficult for companies to transport freight in the port of New York, New Jersey, and the port of Montreal. However, a new inland port is planned in Buffalo, New York, and a new pilot system was recently established in Montreal, Canada to reduce wait times and improve efficiency for inland freight. Both of these initiatives will play an important role in improving logistics and make it much easier for trucks to pick up and deliver a wide range of items.

Buffalo, NY - An Inland Port to Provide Relief for Port of NY & NJ

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey is running out of storage space, as cargo volumes continue to increase each year. However, the creation of an inland port in Buffalo, New York would allow trucks to pick up shipments directly from trains, as it gives importers and exporters an easier way to deliver freight from the Port of New York and New Jersey.

Currently, CSX and Norfolk Southern operate four trains a week from the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey to service the Buffalo region. The planned terminal in Buffalo would also increase the availability of containers, which would have an impact on increasing foreign trade. Moving cargo on rail from the Port of New York and New Jersey to Buffalo would take around two days and would save an estimated $565 compared to using trucks, as over 350 miles separate the two cities.

New System Focuses on Reducing Truck Turn Times in Port of Montreal

The Port of Montreal aims to further reduce truck turn times by allowing truckers to submit processing records in advance of container pickups and deliveries. A pilot programwas created earlier this year that allows trucking companies to make appointments a few days in advance at two of the four main port terminals in Montreal. The pre-registration system allows trucks to enter into a special gate, which will enable them to skip the regular line and save a significant amount of time in pickups or deliveries.

Real-time data is also available on the Port of Montreal's website, as it includes information such as truck turn times, berth productivity, and vessel schedule integrity. Ultimately, this program is designed to improve the speed of transactions and turnaround times, as the Port of Montreal has experienced rapid growth with the past few years.

The creation of an inland port in Buffalo, New York and the new pre-registration system in the Port of Montreal are expected to have a significant impact in reducing wait times and improving the efficiency of inland freight. Of course, the trucking industry is always evolving, and both of these ports will allow truckers to be much more productive in picking up and delivering freight.