C.H. Robinson with Successful Rail Shipments across the United States
19th December 2018
C.H. Robinson was contacted by their client to determine the shipping method for moving 219 marine pilings across the United States.
Although the company had shipped pilings over the road in the past, given the volume, weight, length, and cross country lane, their project logistics experts advised transporting by rail.
C.H. Robinson was able to provide a better option and a competitive solution that helped the company win the business.
The marine pilings were required at two marine terminals - in Port Hueneme, California, and Benicia, California - to upgrade piers.
Scope was from free on rail origin in Winchester, VA to free on rail destination; 7 rail cars to the Port Hueneme, CA and 2 rail cars to Benicia, CA. Each destination was around 4,300 kilometers (2,672 miles) away.
The rail cars were loaded according to the team’s drawings and specifications, based on carrier requirements.
There were a couple instances where the rail cars were humped at interchanges – which is a normal practice whereby cars are pushed up an incline and then rolled to the appropriate track - causing some of the cargo to shift.
C.H. Robinson worked closely with the railroads to not only re-secure the shifted loads but to prevent further loads from being humped.
The 219 marine pilings measured 75’ x 1’4” x 1’4” each and had a total weight of 565 metric tons and a total volume of 768 cubic meters. They were all safely delivered to their destinations.
