An alliance forged by U.S.-based TBM Intermodal and Mexico’s Ferromex railroad is opening up a new intermodal option that will reportedly shorten overland transport between the western U.S., Canada, and Mexico.
Calexico, the southernmost city in California, just finished expanding its inland port facility, which links to Ferromex’s rail line. As a result, TBM Intermodal, which owns a fleet of 150 trucks and contracts with 120 other vehicles, can now move goods into Calexico for direct shipment into Mexico and vice versa – shortening overland shipment distances by 500 miles and saving 15% to 30% in shipping costs, according to Jose Villarreal, TBM’s founder.
In the past, said Villarreal, overland shipping to Mexico was only possible through Laredo, TX. "Once companies realize the greater efficiency of using this new West Coast Gateway in Calexico … we would expect to see a network of distribution centers for large manufacturers grow in the immediate area to support the operation, just as they have in other major international ports," he noted.
