Under its 2050 Vision plan, the Port of Long Beach is modernising its facilities and operations to double its annual container volume by 2050. At the same time, it is aggressively pursuing its goal of becoming the world’s first zero-emissions port.
Thanks to supply chain partners like Duncan and Son Lines Inc., both are possible.
“On the eve of the 20th anniversary of the Clean Air Action Plan, it’s exciting to see how far we’ve come with partners like Duncan and Son Lines,” said Long Beach Board of Harbor Commissioners President Steven Neal.
“Duncan and Son has been on board with moving cargo as efficiently and sustainably as possible from the get-go,” said Port of Long Beach CEO Dr. Noel Hacegaba. “The company’s business model for moving cargo is a great example of what we can achieve when every link in the supply chain works together.”
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Over the last two years, Duncan and Son has operated the ramp at Union Pacific Railroad’s Phoenix Intermodal Terminal that transfers containers between railcars and trucks. The facility gives shippers the option to move goods efficiently between San Pedro Bay marine terminals and Arizona by rail.
At the same time, the fourth-generation, family-owned trucking and logistics company has continued to invest heavily in zero-emissions (ZE) drayage trucks deployed at the San Pedro Bay ports and charging infrastructure to power them. By the end of this year, approximately 10% of the company’s fleet of 1,000 trucks will be ZE models.
“We want to be a leader in what we do,” said Keith Jones, Vice President of Sales for DSL Logistics Inc., the parent company of Duncan and Son, which has been serving the nation’s busiest container port complex for more than 35 years. “We certainly don’t want to be a follower. Staying ahead of the ports’ initiatives and being a good steward that facilitates trade through the port complex is where we want to be.”
The Short-Haul Rail Option
Today, trains between the ports complex and the Phoenix Intermodal Center run seven days a week, up from three days a week when the hub launched its operations in April 2024. On-dock rail connects cargo directly to and from the inland metropolis.
“We continue to see significant growth in our rail service and record volumes month over month,” Jones said. “As more shippers learn about the efficiencies and the environmental benefits, we are seeing more cargo moving between the Southern California ports and Arizona shift from truck to rail.”
Typically, inbound containers carry finished goods – furniture, electronics, clothing and shoes to the sprawling desert consumer market. Outbound cargo destined for overseas markets includes agricultural products such as alfalfa hay and raw materials such as metals and minerals. Any shipper can move cargo through the Phoenix Intermodal Center and any trucking company can provide drayage service to and from the facility.
More than 5.2 million people live in the Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler area. The region is among the top 10 most populous and fastest-growing metropolitan areas in the nation, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Not surprisingly, the area is also home to a growing number of warehouses and distribution centers.
The first step to convincing shippers to use the short-haul rail option was letting them know the service exists. Initially, Duncan and Son marketed it directly to ocean carriers, who negotiated a rate for the service because it was not covered by the standard inland point intermodal (IPI) agreement. Today, the service is fully integrated to include IPI as an additional option for movement between overseas ports and the Phoenix rail ramp.
How quickly a truck can get an appointment and whether cargo can be transferred immediately from ship to rail are among the factors that determine which mode is faster and/or more cost-effective. “It’s important to have options,” Jones said. “This helps the entire supply chain run more efficiently.”