The partnership aims to reignite temperature-controlled intermodal rail service in eastern Washington, boosting growth and providing cost-effective intermodal freight solutions for the region.
The new logistics centre, which Tiger Cool Express leased from Union Pacific, is located on a 67-acre property in Wallula, Washington. The facility boasts a 200,000-square-foot refrigerated warehouse, 19 enclosed refrigerated rail docks, 38 refrigerated truck docks, and a 2-mile rail loop track. The site is expected to be fully operational by August, with a new intermodal ramp that can handle 5,000 monthly lifts. By 2024, the site volume is anticipated to increase to more than 22,000 annual container shipments of regional commodities such as onions, apples, wine, pears, and potatoes.
According to Kari Kirchhoefer, Union Pacific's vice president-Premium, Marketing and Sales, the partnership with Tiger Cool Express will remove thousands of trucks from the highway. She added, "This region continues to grow in logistical importance, and our network can support the envisioned growth."
