Schneider switches primary eastern rail partner from CSX to Norfolk Southern

· Logistics · United States

Schneider National is changing its primary eastern railroad after 18 years, moving its business from CSX to Norfolk Southern. The shift could reshape competition for domestic containers, but the volume CSX will lose has not been disclosed, and the proposed Union Pacific-Norfolk Southern merger remains only a proposal. The change comes as US rail intermodal traffic is growing: total US rail traffic rose 3.5% in the latest week, led by intermodal gains, according to the Association of American Railroads. How much volume actually moves to Norfolk Southern under the Schneider arrangement is the open question analysts are watching, since the outcome depends partly on whether the UP-NS merger is approved.

Why it matters：A large intermodal customer re-routing its eastern business shifts competitive balance between the two Class I railroads and signals how shippers are positioning ahead of a possible UP-NS merger.

Key points

  • Schneider had used CSX as its primary eastern railroad for 18 years.
  • US rail traffic rose 3.5% in the latest week, led by intermodal, per the AAR.
  • The volume CSX will lose was not disclosed.

Sources (original reporting)

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