Norfolk Southern, Virginia port create 'RailGreen corridor'

The Port of Virginia is collaborating with Norfolk Southern Railway on its new RailGreen program that reduces supply chain emissions for shippers, port and NS officials announced yesterday.

With the first-of-its-kind emission reduction program for freight rail connecting to the East Coast port, shippers now have the nation’s first “RailGreen Corridor” to conduct business, the organizations said in press releases. 

NS runs daily service to and from the Virginia Inland Port (VIP), which is the port's intermodal terminal in Front Royal. VIP connects to The Port of Virginia’s terminals in Norfolk Harbor. Cargo owners using NS’s lane can participate in RailGreen and reduce emissions.

A company’s supply chain emissions are the hardest to track and tackle. RailGreen makes it possible by using third-party validation to verify carbon-reducing activities against international standards. The partnership will contribute to a reduction in scope 3 emissions on the East Coast, port and NS officials said.

“Rail is already the most sustainable way to transport goods over land, and we’re not resting on that advantage. By working with The Port of Virginia, we’ve created a green-shipping solution for customers transporting goods to and from the coast," said NS Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer Ed Elkins.

To learn more about RailGreen, read this feature story in Progressive Railroading's RailPrime.