CP rolls out 60-ft. intermodal box

Canadian Pacific announced the deployment of what it said is the first 60-foot intermodal container.

The container, developed by retailer Canadian Tire in collaboration with CP, is designed to increase productivity and efficiency. Seven feet longer than the current maximum 53-foot container will allow Canadian Tire and CP to transport more products to increase the volume of products shipped in each container, while reducing transportation costs and greenhouse gas emissions.

Headquartered in Toronto, Canadian Tire transports more than 100,000 different products to 500 stores across Canada.

“Our supply chain infrastructure is one of the most modern in Canada, capable of supporting growth and efficiently managing the increasing number of products we transport,” said Neil McKenna, Vice-President, Transportation, Canadian Tire. “This new configuration will enable us to increase the volume shipped in each container by 13% which ultimately allows us to carry more goods per trip, resulting in an improvement in service to our stores and our customers.”

In 1994 CP and Canadian collaborated on the introduction of a 53-foot intermodal container, which are used primarily in domestic service. Ocean-capable 53-foot containers have been in use since 2007.

The railroad said it has been testing the 60-foot box for several months, including using a prototype on existing 53-foot containers to mimic the new, longer container in transit.