International Intermodal

Market Overview

If you're looking for seamless, coast-to-coast, North American transportation, Union Pacific operates an extensive rail system with routes from the West Coast and Gulf ports to all major cities west of the Mississippi River, and interchanges to the eastern U.S. railroads at major gateways.

For purposes of distinguishing international containerized shipments in the U.S. from domestic shipments, Union Pacific defines international as U.S. rail traffic involving an immediately prior or subsequent ocean movement.

Market Coverage

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See how our route structure lines up with your marketplace!

Our International Service Matrix can help you locate UP destinations as well as interchange points to connecting carriers. Our Intermodal Facilities Map, complete with detailed maps and directions to our ramps, outlines our network of available distribution points. We continue to add new locations to increase the value of our service to you. Phase I of our Global III Intermodal facility has been operational since Fall 2002. Phase II opened in August 2003.

Intermodal Service Schedules detail UP transit times, drop-off, and availability at the various ramps around our network. Our Intermodal Ramps page contains detailed maps and directions to our facilities.

Equipment

We provide you with locomotive power and the right flat cars to handle your privately owned containers.  Union Pacific is able to handle a variety of 20', 40', and 45' privately-owned ocean containers. Examples include:
  • Steel dry-cargo container and high cube steel dry-cargo container

  • Open-top container (out of gauge loads must be approved by UP's Clearance Department)

  • Flat-rack containers (must be inspected by UP's Mechanical Department and approved by UP's Clearance Department

  • Refrigerated containers (various protective services are offered by UPFE at an additional cost)
  • ISO tank containers
Please contact your Union Pacific Sales Representative for further information.

Contacts

Shipping freight with the International Intermodal is easy. To answer many of the questions you may have, we have described our Product Service Requirements. If our service network meets your needs, contact our Marketing Development and Sales Center at 1-800-544-4175, and they will walk you through the rest of the process.

e-Business Solutions

Intermodal business is unique, dynamic and extremely time sensitive. In order to keep abreast of this rapidly changing business, shippers need to use every tool at their disposal to manage the transit cycle.

At Union Pacific Railroad, we recognize these requirements and have developed a wide variety of e-business solutions to address your needs. They encompass direct EDI connectivity, as well as web-enabled transactions that allow you to generate Bills of Lading, trace your loads, and generate customized reports.

More Information

Find even more information custom-designed for UP customers by checking out MyUPRR

You'll find:

  • The latest bulletins and news for Intermodal movement on UP
  • Your company's shipment information
  • Intermodal market links

Submit a Customer Registration Request, and you'll have your password within three business days!