Shippers FAQs

Q             Do I go through the steamship lines directly or through NVOCC s?
A             This varies by steamship line, but as a general rule if a shipper ships less than twenty-                 five container loads per year, they may do better working with a freight                 forwarder/NVOCC . Volume is important when negotiating price with a carrier.  If you                 have used a freight forwarder/ NVOCC previously, you may prefer to continue to do                 so.  Newer/ smaller shippers will probably get better results with an NVO.

 

Q            Who orders the containers?
A             If you work directly with the steamship line, then the equipment would be ordered
                through a booking order with the carrier.Royal Cargo Line, a BNSF
                Logistics subsidiary, will coordinate container orders for movement to Minot.
                This subject will be discussed at the forum.

 

Q             How do I get steamship line rates?
A             Rates are quoted by the carriers directly to shippers or through freight                 forwarders/NVOCCs.  NDPS will not quote rates for the rail or water service.

Q             What information do I need to provide to obtain a rate from a steamship line, freight                 forwarder or NVOCC?
A             To obtain rates you need to be ready to provide a good product description, your                 current or expected volumes (how many containers per month/year), destination                 (foreign ports) you expect to ship, and their consistency or cycle (i.e. 12/mo to Taiwan                 from March to August)

 

Q              Who will perform the trucking?
A              Drayage (trucking) services between the facility and the shippers are available through                  North Dakota Port Services, Inc. (NDPS).

 

Q             What about chassis?
A              Anysizer chassis pool is also available through NDPS. NDPS will add to the chassis                  pool as needed.

 

Q              How are the trucking charges invoiced?
A              NDPS will invoice the charges; itemizing all services required. That includes the                 drayage, chassis rental, and terminal charge.

 

Q              Why is there a terminal charge?
A              NDPS is a privately owned facility on the BNSF intermodal network. All other BNSF                  facilities reflect the terminal charge in their line-haul rate to the steamship line. At                                  NDPS the terminal charge is visible to the shipper.

Q              What will drayage (trucking) cost?
A              NDPS will charge the base rate plus the current fuel surcharge for all accumulated                  miles. Minimum charges are based on the distance traveled either within or outside the                  Minot city limits.

Q              How are loading appointments scheduled?
A              Appointments will be scheduled through NDPS. NDPS will advise the shipper                                   when their containers are available, and a mutually agreeable appointment will be                  set up at that time.

Q              What will hours of operation be at NDPS?
A              Current gate hours are 7AM to 7 PM.

Q              How often will trains move?
A              Initially there will be weekly train service. As volumes grow, additional trains will be                  scheduled.

Q              Is there container traceability?
A              There is tracing visibility either directly through the steamship line, BNSF or your                  freight forwarder/NVOCC.

Q              How heavy can we load our containers?
A              Weight restrictions are dictated by BNSF intermodal loading restrictions.
                 Additionally,there are also North Dakota DOT weight restrictions on North Dakota                  state highways.Typically a 20ft container can be loaded with 21MT and a 40ft                                  container may be loaded with 25MT.

Q              What about blocking and bracing?
A              Proper blocking and bracing is required by both the railroad and steamship lines.                  NDPS will be hosting a session in blocking and bracing at the forum.

Q              What advantages does intermodal transportation offer versus how shippers                                   traditionally move freight?

A              1. Additional marketing opportunities.

                 2. Alternative shipping/railroad options.

                 3. Provides greater flexibility to the shipper and the receiver.

                 4. Greatly improved transit time.

                 5. Value added through product identity preservation.

                 6. Ability to ship smaller volumes at one time.

                 7. Elimination of product loss through source loading.

Q              Is intermodal shipping competitive to other shipping methods?
A              Intermodal will be competitive with what you are now paying while experiencing                                  improved transit times, added value through identity preservation, and the reduction
                of lost product. North Dakota Port Services, Inc.

 

Q              How do we get started?
A              Attend the Exporters Forum and meet with representatives from several steamship                  lines, BNSF, BNSF Logistics, freight forwarders/NVOCCs, and NDPS.

We look forward to seeing you in Minot, ND on July 28th and 29th at the Grand International Inn. A block of rooms have been reserved at a discounted rated of $63.00 plus taxes per night. Lodging reservations for the forum can be made by contacting the Grand International Inn at (701) 852-3161 and asking for the North Dakota Port Services, Inc. Exporters Forum special room rate.

Q             Who do I contact for more information?
A             Feel free to contact one of the following NDPS employees.

Tim Woods (515) 249-7929 or E-mail twoods@ndportservices.com

Bill Karpan (402) 212-1802 or E-mail bkarpan@ndportservices.com

Greg Johnson (701) 240-5574 or E-mail gjohnson@ndportservices.com

Mike Yanish (701) 340-6727 or E-mail myanish@ndportservices.com

Lonnie Zahn (701) 822-2591 or E-mail lzahn@ndportservices.com