STB

CSX: Pan Am Merger Application Moves Forward, Support Builds

The Surface Transportation Board (STB) has accepted for consideration CSX’s amended and re-filed Pan Am Railways acquisition application, and set a procedural schedule, with a final decision to be rendered April 1, 2022. The proposed merger is also gaining support, CSX reported.

CP to KCS Shareholders: Read the Blue Card and Vote Red (“Stop”)

Know your colors and words: Canadian Pacific has filed a preliminary proxy statement and accompanying “BLUE” proxy card with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to be used to solicit votes of Kansas City Southern (KCS) shareholders to vote “AGAINST” the proposed CN-KCS combination at a scheduled Aug. 19, 2021 KCS special shareholders meeting.

STB to Class I’s: Terminal Congestion, Demurrage Data, Please

Surface Transportation Board (STB) Chairman Martin J. Oberman has called on the CEOs of the seven North American Class I’s to provide information on the extent of congestion at key U.S. container terminals and on their policies and practices for assessing container demurrage fees, citing reports of “substantial charges being levied by the railroads for container storage at these terminals.”

CN: ‘Strong’ 2Q21, Voting Trust Answer Expected Soon

CN followed potential merger partner Kansas City Southern (KCS) in reporting financial results for second-quarter 2021, noting C$3.598 billion in revenues—an increase of 12% over the prior-year period—and a 13% increase in revenue ton-miles (RTMs).

CSX, NS to STB: Deny Amtrak Request

CSX and Norfolk Southern (NS) are calling on the Surface Transportation Board (STB) to deny “as moot” Amtrak’s renewed request for an interim order requiring the Class I railroads to provide track access between New Orleans and Mobile so Amtrak can prepare for proposed Gulf Coast service.

Commentary

High Time for Sunshine at STB

In 1913, three years prior to taking his seat on the Supreme Court, Justice Louis Brandeis wrote in Harper’s Weekly that “sunlight is said to be the best of disinfectants; electric light the most efficient policeman.”

Amtrak Seeks Expedited STB Treatment for Gulf Coast

Amtrak on July 8 said it will renew its request that the Surface Transportation Board (STB) intervene on its behalf if CSX and Norfolk Southern (NS) don’t cooperate on hosting new passenger service between New Orleans and Mobile.

Biden Targeting Class I Rail Mergers? Report (UPDATED)

President Biden on July 9 will sign an Executive Order directing federal regulators to “confront consolidation and perceived anticompetitive pricing” in the railroad and ocean shipping industries, among many others, “as part of a broad effort to blunt the power of big business to dominate industries,” according to a July 8 Wall Street Journal story by reporters Tedd Mann and Andrew Restuccia.