Savage, UP Partner on Idaho’s First Intermodal Rail Terminal

Written by Marybeth Luczak, Executive Editor
Savage is constructing a new terminal at UP’s Pocatello, Idaho, rail yard that will transport, by mid-year, containerized hay and other agricultural commodities to Northwest Seaport Alliance ports in Washington state.

Savage is constructing a new terminal at UP’s Pocatello, Idaho, rail yard that will transport, by mid-year, containerized hay and other agricultural commodities to Northwest Seaport Alliance ports in Washington state.

Savage and Union Pacific (UP) will open the Savage Railport-Southern Idaho terminal for the export of containerized hay and other agricultural commodities; it will be the first to serve the state of Idaho, they reported.

Under their agreement, Savage said it will construct and operate the terminal at UP’s rail yard in Pocatello. Upon launch—expected by mid-year—Savage teams will place loaded containers onto railcars, which UP will haul to Northwest Seaport Alliance ports in Tacoma and Seattle, Wash., “providing faster access to Asia and other world markets,” the global supply chain firm said.

“Union Pacific’s unique collaboration with Savage uses intermodal containers heading to the Northwest ports,” said Kari Kirchhoefer, UP Vice President Marketing and Sales, Premium. “This partnership makes the most of the container’s round trip and saves truck drayage costs for Idaho shippers by providing a direct rail option.”

The initiative will also “open up supply chains and allow more Idaho businesses to access global markets,” Savage President and CEO Kirk Aubry said.

“As one of the top agricultural export gateways in North America, the Northwest Seaport Alliance congratulates Savage, Union Pacific Railroad, the city of Pocatello and the state of Idaho for partnering on this innovative project to support U.S. farmers and agricultural exports,” said Dick Marzano, Commissioner of the Port of Tacoma and Co-Chair of the Northwest Seaport Alliance. “The new service will help lower export costs and increase volumes through our gateway.”

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