CP Rail, Consolidated Fastfrate form strategic alliance

TORONTO — Canadian Pacific Railway and Consolidated Fastfrate announced a strategic partnership agreement designed to move less-than-truckload long-haul traffic across CPR’s transcontinental routes.

Toronto-based Consolidated Fastfrate, Canada’s largest privately-owned freight forwarder, will change from shipping freight in boxcars to intermodal containers. The use of CPR’s container fleet means reduced handling of customers’ goods, resulting in lower claims for damaged goods and faster, more efficient service.

CFF will also build cross-dock facilities that will provide direct container loading and unloading capabilities from truck to train and vice versa. A 200,000-square foot, 30-acre facility adjacent to CPR’s Montreal facility is now fully operational, with a second 60,000-square foot facility in Vancouver scheduled to open in Spring 1999. In addition, CFF is planning Canada’s largest cross-dock facility to be located within CPR’s Toronto transportation complex in Vaughan, Ont. Project completion is targeted for March 2000.