CN APIs improve customer supply chain visibility and help our customers to automate routine manual tasks. Our customers no longer have to rely on a web interface and spend time pulling data into spreadsheets – enabling their teams to focus on higher value work and create more value for their business.
One such customer is MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company. MSC is a global business engaged in the shipping and logistics sector. Calling at 500 ports on 230-plus trade routes, MSC carries 23 million TEU (twenty-foot equivalent units) annually, via a modern fleet – equipped with the latest green technologies. MSC calls on several North American ports and relies on CN to move valuable cargo throughout North America.
Ensuring that MSC’s cargo arrives safely, requires a high level of physical, and digital security.
During a digital engagement session, MSC and CN worked together to identify processes that could be digitized to help drive faster terminal operations for customers. One process identified for digitization was pickup numbers – to date a highly manual process, requiring a web interface, and time-consuming manual entry of data.
In the spirit of collaboration, CN quickly developed an API which allows payers of freight to receive their pickup numbers directly into their own system. The result? No logging in, no training requirements, no spreadsheets and best of all - no more errors - only clean, real-time data.
MSC now pulls pickup numbers directly from CN’s system at the right frequency and the right time, for thousands of containers each week, helping to increase last-mile supply chain velocity.
Combined Advantages of Road and Rail
Our transload facility in Bridgeview, IL is only 16 miles from CN’s Chicago Intermodal terminal. Our rail service to Western Canada runs 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Shipments can originate from a variety of points including Illinois, Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, Iowa, Missouri or Kentucky. Our intermodal services extend well beyond our tracks with the convenience of road service and value of rail.
- Cost savings by using both modes of transportation
- Seamless border crossings
- Avoid congestion through CN’s rail bypass loop around Chicago
- 40 ft. containers handle all types of freight - load up to 55,000 lbs
- Variety of load ratios available depending on your shipment. 1:1 53ft to 40ft or multiple 53’s into multiple 40’s (For example, 3 - 53’s into 4 - 40ft’s)
- Environmental benefit of rail for the long haul which reduces GHG emissions
- Short term storage available at our transload facility
- Offering end-to-end supply chain solutions with final mile deliveries in Western Canada
- Truckload transloads are available immediately. Complete LTL service will be available by March 2021.
Take advantage of this new service and learn more about how CN can help keep your supply chain agile and competitive.
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