J.B. Hunt reaches intermodal milestone

J.B. Hunt Transport Services, Inc., a leader in the shift of freight from highway to rail, announced Wednesday that its year-to-date Intermodal segment volume had exceeded one million loads for the first time.

“This is truly one of the proudest moments in our company’s long and storied history,” said Kirk Thompson, J. B. Hunt president and CEO. “When you placea well-developed strategic vision in the hands of the brightest, most capable transportation people in the industry, this is the result. It is the exemplary teamwork and dedication of our employees, as well as our strong rail relationships, that enabled us to achieve this momentous accomplishment.”

The company notes that it began intermodal operations in 1989 with “a unique arrangement with what is now BNSF Railway, a milestone event in the industry and the first time that a major railroad and truckload transportation company had formalized an agreement to offer joint services.”

“Our JBI segment and arrangement with Burlington Northern was conceived at a perfect time to revolutionize the intermodal business,” said Paul Bergant, president of Intermodal for J.B. Hunt. “What started with a handshake has grown into a service that is unparalleled in the transportation industry, in both size and scope. That kind of growth only happens when you focus on your customers.”

"To put this achievement into perspective," said J.B. Hunt in a statement, “one million loads converted to intermodal saved 150 million gallons of diesel fuel from being consumed; is equivalent to taking 305,000 cars off the road for an entire year; and prevented 1,550,00 metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions from being generated.”