TORONTO,
Oct. 18, 2011 /PRNewswire/ - CN (TSX:
CNR) (NYSE: CNI) announced today the purchase of 200 more efficient
EcoTherm containers to increase customer efficiency and help reduce
energy consumption in its fast-growing temperature-sensitive
intermodal markets. Products such as food, beverages, paints and
pharmaceuticals require protection against low temperatures. With
this container acquisition, CN's EcoTherm fleet stands at almost
500 units, the largest in North
America.
CN also announced the purchase of 25 EcoRide chassis. They weigh
15 per cent less than conventional chassis and are equipped with
aerodynamic features such as side skirts and low-rolling resistance
tires. Containers delivered on EcoRide chassis consume eight to 11
per cent less fuel than containers delivered on traditional
chassis.
Jean-Jacques Ruest, CN executive vice-president and chief
marketing officer, said: "EcoTherm and EcoRide are innovative
technological advances that help CN reduce the energy intensity of
its customers' supply chains and position us to grow our
business."
The super-insulated 40-foot EcoTherm container is an economical,
green alternative to the 53-foot heated container. Food and
beverage customers can load the same volume of product in the
40-foot insulated container without the need for the blocking and
bracing required in a 53-foot container.
EcoTherm has more insulation than a conventional diesel
engine-powered "heater" container, enabling it to hold its interior
temperature more effectively. This allows EcoTherm to retain the
proper temperature for sensitive goods throughout a rail trip as
long as 10 days with no need for an engine to burn fuel en
route.
Chantal Gariépy, national transport manager for Molson Coors Canada, the Canadian division of
Molson Coors Brewing Company, a global brewer with operations
in Canada, the U.S., the U.K. and Asia, said: "For many years, CN has played a
key role in helping Molson Coors
move its beer from coast to coast. Molson
Coors has always been interested in reducing its
environmental footprint, and CN is a great partner that offers an
environmentally efficient freight solution.
"Molson Coors also appreciates CN
equipment design that is truly adapted to the rugged Canadian
climate. The CN super-insulated containers have been part of the
Molson Coors' winter freight program for the last two years and
have really made a difference in efficiency, freezing protection
and loading capabilities."
CN leads the North American rail industry in fuel efficiency,
consuming approximately 10 per cent less fuel per gross-ton-mile
overall than the industry average. CN's lower fuel consumption
results in fewer greenhouse gas emissions and the lowest fuel
surcharge in the industry.
Forward-Looking Statements
Certain information included in this news
release are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the
United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and
under Canadian securities laws. CN cautions that, by their nature,
these forward-looking statements involve risks, uncertainties and
assumptions. The Company cautions that its assumptions may not
materialize and that current economic conditions render such
assumptions, although reasonable at the time they were made,
subject to greater uncertainty. Such forward-looking statements are
not guarantees of future performance and involve known and unknown
risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual
results or performance of the Company or the rail industry to be
materially different from the outlook or any future results or
performance implied by such statements.
Important risk factors that could affect the
forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, the
effects of general economic and business conditions, industry
competition, inflation, currency and interest rate fluctuations,
changes in fuel prices, legislative and/or regulatory developments,
compliance with environmental laws and regulations, actions by
regulators, various events which could disrupt operations,
including natural events such as severe weather, droughts, floods
and earthquakes, labor negotiations and disruptions, environmental
claims, uncertainties of investigations, proceedings or other types
of claims and litigation, risks and liabilities arising from
derailments, and other risks detailed from time to time in reports
filed by CN with securities regulators in Canada and the
United States. Reference should be made to "Management's
Discussion and Analysis" in CN's annual and interim reports, Annual
Information Form and Form 40-F filed with Canadian and U.S.
securities regulators, available on CN's website, for a summary of
major risks.
CN assumes no obligation to update or revise
forward-looking statements to reflect future events, changes in
circumstances, or changes in beliefs, unless required by applicable
Canadian securities laws. In the event CN does update any
forward-looking statement, no inference should be made that CN will
make additional updates with respect to that statement, related
maters, or any other forward-looking statement.
CN - Canadian National Railway Company and its operating railway
subsidiaries - spans Canada and mid-America, from the Atlantic and
Pacific oceans to the Gulf of
Mexico, serving the ports of Vancouver, Prince
Rupert, B.C., Montreal,
Halifax, New Orleans, and Mobile, Ala., and the key metropolitan areas
of Toronto, Buffalo, Chicago, Detroit, Duluth,
Minn./Superior, Wis.,
Green Bay, Wis., Minneapolis/St. Paul, Memphis, St.
Louis, and Jackson, Miss.,
with connections to all points in North
America. For more information on CN, visit the company's
website at www.cn.ca.
SOURCE CN