US railroad BNSF issues temporary embargo of some shipments destined for California

HOUSTON (ICIS)–US railroad BNSF has issued a temporary permit embargo for westbound shipments of chlorine, water treatment chemicals, fuels and grains after seeing increased congestion in southern California, the company said.

The embargo does not include intermodal shipments, which are being managed through alternate means, BNSF said in a statement.

According to the Association of American Railroads (AAR), embargoes are temporary holds placed on freight to restrict the acceptance and handling of freight.

The embargo is effective 27 June for shipments beginning 29 June to California from Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, Iowa, Illinois, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Texas and is currently scheduled to expire on 31 July.

All eastern points of origin outside the BNSF network, which interchange through gateways located in the above states, are also included in this embargo.

The embargo will also impact automotive shipments and specific agricultural and industrial commodities.

BNSF said rail movements through southern California have been impacted by several high-wind events.

Flash flooding from heavy rains in New Mexico caused a service outage of BNSF’s Southern Transcon line 70 miles west of Belen, New Mexico.

“The resulting impacts have affected our ability to effectively align resources with freight volumes, particularly the efficient utilisation of train crews in the region,” the company said.

BNSF said customers can submit requests for permits to embargoes destinations.

Beginning 6 July, the commodities listed below will be exempt from this embargo and any permit requirements:

In the US, chemical railcar loadings represent about 20% of chemical transportation by tonnage, with trucks, barges and pipelines carrying the rest.