Japanese ocean carriers stick with Union Pacific

The Ocean Network Express – the joint container business of NYK, MOL and “K” Line – will use Union Pacific to handle all intermodal shipments for vessels calling U.S. West Coast ports.    When the Ocean Network Express (ONE) commences operations April 1, it will use Class I railway Union Pacific to handle all intermodal shipments for vessels calling U.S. West Coast ports, Union Pacific said.
   ONE is a joint venture that is integrating the container shipping businesses of Japan’s “big three” ocean carriers, which are Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, Ltd. (“K” Line), Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL), and Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha (NYK). The joint venture will also include worldwide terminal operations businesses, excluding those in Japan.
   A Union Pacific spokesperson told American Shipper all three carriers are current customers.
   Under the new agreement, containers arriving or departing from U.S. West Coast ports will transfer between ONE vessels and Union Pacific trains on-dock and near dock facilities in Los Angeles and Long Beach.
   Union Pacific will also carry ONE shipments arriving at Pacific Northwest ports in Seattle and Tacoma, Wash.