Amazon steps into the freight rail industry with branded containers
Written by RT&S Staff
Amazon has not quite yet taken over the world, but it continues to get in position to be the global ruler.
The e-commerce dominator recently purchased 250, 53-ft-long freight containers for rail and is now executing a pilot program on the West Coast. The objective is to eliminate intermodal “middle men” and to form a direct-to-rail operation. The freight containers will feature Amazon’s famous arrow logo. Both Amazon and Walmart met with Class 1 railroad companies earlier in the year to discuss the move. Walmart already has freight containers out on the rails after launching its program in California.
According to JOC.com, Amazon Global Logistics is a non-vessel operating common carrier that sells ocean freight services through Beijing Century Joyo Courier Service Co. It also is a licensed property freight broker.
The Amazon freight containers will only be used in the U.S. in the coming months, but the plan is to also use them on ocean vessels.
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