BNSF, J.B. Hunt Transport Services Inc. (JBHT) and Grupo Mexico Transportes SAB de CV (GMXT, better known as Ferromex) have launched “Quantum de México, a J.B. Hunt, BNSF and GMXT Service™, described as “a new intermodal offering for Mexico businesses with service-sensitive freight delivery.”
The three announced the new service at the Congreso Intermodal de la Asociación Mexicana del Transporte Intermodal (AMTI) in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. To “support customer needs and enable growth in Mexico,” J.B. Hunt has opened a new office in Queretaro, Mexico.
“The new offering will follow the successful service model of a U.S. counterpart launched by J.B. Hunt and BNSF in November 2023,” the consortium said. “Quantum provides the consistency, agility and speed needed to transport sensitive highway freight using rail, meeting businesses’ ‘just in time’ freight needs. The service is optimized for efficiency, offering a 95%-plus on-time delivery rate that’s up to one day faster than traditional intermodal service.”
Quantum de México will operate on key routes connecting major cities and industrial hubs in both countries. Some of the primary markets served include Chicago, Dallas-Fort Worth, the U.S. West Coast, U.S. eastern destinations, Mexico City, Guadalajara and Monterrey.
The partners notes that the new service “utilizes the latest advancements in tracking and monitoring systems, providing real-time visibility and control over shipments, minimizing delays and optimizing performance. Designated J.B. Hunt, BNSF and GMXT support teams will provide 24×7 oversight, delivering consistent and reliable transit times including features like priority drayage as well as railcar loading and unloading.”
“Quantum de México represents a significant milestone in our commitment to innovation and excellence in logistics,” said BNSF Group Vice President Consumer Products Jon Gabriel. “Expanding our reach from coast to coast allows us to harness our collective strengths and broaden our ability to deliver an unparalleled experience to our customers.”
“Mode conversion is one of the leading opportunities businesses can leverage in today’s economic environment to drive efficiency and cost savings,” said J.B. Hunt Executive Vice President Sales and Marketing Spencer Frazier. “The collaboration we’re announcing today brings the full suite of our industry-leading intermodal service and its unmatched service excellence, scale and capacity to Mexico, building on the innovative success of a 35-year relationship.”
“As more businesses utilize Mexico to solve supply chain problems, the country has grown to be one of the Top 10 exporters in the world, with more than two-thirds of those exports destined for the U.S.,” the three pointed out. “Top export industries include automotive, manufacturing, agricultural, electronics and other service-sensitive freight areas. Nearly 70% of freight transported across the Mexico/U.S. border is moved by traditional over-the-road (OTR) highway transport. Our collaboration looks to capitalize on the untapped potential of intermodal service for businesses moving freight in and out of Mexico, including converting OTR highway freight to rail intermodal and optimizing container efficiency. Intermodal conversion is the most widely available ground transportation solution for cutting carbon emissions, reducing a shipment’s carbon footprint by an average of 65% compared to OTR truck transportation.”
In 2024, BNSF, JBHT and GMXT launched intermodal service to and from Mexico through the Eagle Pass Gateway. “We have demonstrated that rail and its intermodal services are key allies to industries not only in Mexico but across North America, through a strategic alliance with J.B. Hunt and BNSF,” said GMXT Vice President Intermodal Luis Hernández. “The progress in service quality we offer allows us to continue innovating while maintaining efficiency and reliability, with new services like Quantum de México.”
