Intermodal Rail Shipping
for Forestry & Paper

A wide array of products, covering nearly every stage of the production cycle, can be efficiently and safely shipped via intermodal rail. This method is ideal for moving heavy, high-volume goods over the long distances that often separate forests, mills, and consumer markets across Canada and into the United States.

The types of products suitable for intermodal transport can be broken down into several key categories, each utilizing specialized equipment and handling techniques:

Raw and Semi-Finished Materials:

• Raw Timber & Logs: Transported on durable log cars or flatcars designed to handle heavy, uneven loads.

• Wood Chips: Moved in high-capacity, open-top gondolas, allowing for easy loading and unloading of bulk materials destined for pulp mills or biomass facilities.

• Wood Pulp: Shipped in pressed bales, pulp is sensitive to moisture and is therefore transported in enclosed, weather-proof boxcars or intermodal containers to protect its integrity.

   

Finished and Converted Products:

• Lumber & Panels: Dimensional lumber, plywood, and oriented strand board (OSB) are typically bundled and shipped on centerbeam flatcars. These cars feature a central beam that allows for easy loading and unloading with forklifts while providing excellent load securement.

• Paper Rolls: Newsprint, kraft paper, and other large paper rolls are highly susceptible to damage from moisture and impact. They are transported with great care in specialized newsprint boxcars which have smooth interior walls and cushioning devices, or in sealed 53-foot intermodal containers to protect them from the elements and handling damage.

• Palletized Paper Products: Finished goods such as printing paper, packaged goods, and other boxed paper products are transported in standard, enclosed intermodal containers, providing a secure and cost-effective mode of transport.

By combining the long-haul efficiency of rail with the final-mile flexibility of trucking, intermodal shipping provides a robust and reliable solution for the diverse products of the forestry and paper industry.

Absolutely. Capacity and reliability are core strengths of intermodal rail. We can secure consistent, dedicated capacity to match your mill’s production schedule, ensuring a steady flow of raw materials in and finished products out. This helps you avoid costly production slowdowns caused by the driver shortages and capacity crunches common in the trucking market.

Intermodal delivers the most significant cost savings on long-haul lanes (typically over 700 kilometers). If you are moving heavy, high-volume products like logs, pulp, or paper rolls between your mill and major distribution hubs or export ports, rail is substantially more fuel-efficient than trucks. This translates directly into lower transportation costs and improved margins.

We use a variety of specialized rail cars to match the specific product. Raw timber and pulpwood are often transported in sturdy centerbeam flatcars or high-capacity gondolas. Finished rolls and palletized lumber are shipped in sealed, 53-foot intermodal containers or specialized boxcars that protect the product from the elements and damage.

It’s fast and straightforward. Just fill out our quote form with your origin, destination, freight type, and volume. Our team will follow up with pricing and transit details – no guesswork, no delays.

Intermodal shipping is the movement of freight using two or more modes of transportation—typically rail and truck—without handling the actual cargo when changing modes. Your goods are loaded into a standardized container that moves efficiently between truck and train, reducing handling, delays, and risk of damage.

• Cost savings over long distances
• Reduced carbon footprint (rail is 3–4x more fuel-efficient than trucking)
• Improved security and reduced handling
• Reliable transit times through scheduled rail networks

Shipping by rail is the most environmentally friendly way to move freight over land. On average, trains are up to four times more fuel-efficient than trucks and can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 75% per ton-mile. By converting long-haul shipments to intermodal, you significantly lower your supply chain’s carbon footprint, providing a tangible and reportable boost to your sustainability initiatives.

Not necessarily. For longer distances, especially across provinces or cross-border, intermodal can be as fast—or faster—than trucking, thanks to efficient rail routes and lower chances of delays. Plus, it’s more cost-effective and eco-friendly.