As BNSF looks to 2021 and beyond, we are experiencing a significant shift, escalated by COVID-19, as the rate of e-commerce growth accelerates. There is no doubt that consumers’ desires to have their goods faster than ever before will continue to have a big impact on the future of supply chain logistics, and we recognize how essential it is that retailers be able to rely on their supply chain partners to deliver reliable service.
This starts with our positioning in the global supply chain and superior speed-to-market that comes from leveraging the US West Coast ports. Not only does the West Coast provide a shorter route from most major Asia ports, but it also has more frequent sailings connecting retailers quickly to the markets they need to reach. As the largest gateway between Asia and North America, the West Coast has more capacity than the other North American ports combined.
Through our sustained capital investments and leveraging of advanced technology such as automation, we have ensured that we are positioned for growth opportunities across all of the markets we serve and that our customers’ cargo is transported as safely, reliably, and efficiently as possible. One of the best examples of our long-term commitment to expand capacity is our 2,200-mile Southern Transcon route, which creates a seamless supply chain between the West Coast ports and the nation’s biggest and fastest-growing inland markets.
As we look beyond the pandemic, we anticipate that retailers will continue to count on the benefits that the US West Coast has to offer as they look for ways to further optimize their supply chain. As our nation’s largest intermodal network, BNSF is well prepared to be their rail partner of choice, so they are able to effectively serve key markets well into the future.