Port scuttlebutt - August 2000

Wilmington is Intermodal Hub for "Auto Stack"

Volkswagen of America, Inc. at the Port of Wilmington is introducing an innovative intermodal shipping technique for the distribution of Audi vehicles from Delaware to the US Pacific Northwest via truck and rail.  The new transportation solution, called “Auto Stack”, is designed to carry motor vehicles via rail, ocean and highway, and includes loaders and racks that are manufactured to fit into 53-foot standard US domestic cargo containers.  Having successfully used “Auto Stack” for the distribution of Volkswagen and Audi vehicles from the Port of Houston to the Chicago area, VWOA is now expanding its use to their Wilmington autoport.  From Wilmington, Volkswagen will use “Auto Stack” to ship Audi cars to Tacoma, Washington, shortening the total transit time from Germany to the Pacific Northwest by 6 days.

Until now, the shipment of Audis from Germany to the Pacific Northwest has taken place by car carrier vessels through the Panama Canal to San Diego, and from there by truck to Washington State.  Using the new “intermodel” route, Audi’s will be shipped by vessel to Wilmington, then loaded onto “Auto Stack” equipment, trucked to Norfolk Southern’s intermodal rail hub at Morrisville, PA, then continue on Norfolk Southern rail as far as Volkswagen’s auto distribution center in Tacoma, Washington.  From Tacoma, the new Audis will be distributed to dealerships throughout the Pacific Northwest.

Other new developments at Volkswagen’s Wilmington auto port this summer include the changeover to a new port processor - TransWorld Port and Distribution Services.  TransWorld Port and Distribution Services is responsible for the processing, final quality check, and preparations for distribution of all Volkswagen and Audi vehicles shipped through the Port of Wilmington.  

In the photo: A team of TransWorld Port and Distribution Services employees and representatives from The Hub Group Inc., a logistic support provider, prepare “Auto Stack” equipment for loading and transport of Audis from Wilmington, Delaware to Tacoma, Washington.

IceTech Cools Down The Port

The Diamond State Port Corporation and Icetec.com, Inc. have recently entered into an innovative energy management agreement.  IceTec, headquartered in Wilmington, Delaware, provides a wide range of refrigeration and HVAC management services, specializing in the integration of control systems and real-time energy prices for clients in refrigeration, real estate and elementary and secondary school systems.

This agreement will take advantage of the impending deregulation of electricity in Delaware and the fact that the Port will become eligible to shop for alternative suppliers in October 2000.  IceTec will manage the energy use and temperature control for the Port of Wilmington’s refrigerated warehouses, according to product temperature requirements and the hourly cost of power in the deregulated electricity market.

IceTec has developed software to interpret real-time electricity prices, along with software that will capture temperature data and trends on the products being stored in each refrigerated warehouse at the Port.  The IceTec software analyzes electricity prices and product temperature requirements, and an optimized run schedule is then developed for the Port’s refrigeration control system.  IceTec management and software enable the Port to take advantage of low electricity prices at night and other low use periods and to anticipate and minimize use during high price periods.  The IceTec system will access data and send instructions to the control system from remote locations via modem, network, or the Internet.

As part of the agreement, IceTec has upgraded and reconfigured the electricity distribution network at the Port.  Additionally, IceTec has upgraded the refrigeration control and product monitoring systems to provide more accurate and cost effective control.  The combination of enhanced control and monitoring systems with real time management allows the Port to provide high standards in quality control while keeping costs as low as possible. 

David M. Kessler, Vice President of Icetec.com said,  “IceTec is pleased to have the opportunity to help the DSPC provide high quality – cost-effective service to their refrigerated product customers from around the world.  We are eager to help DSPC be the world-class provider of refrigerated trans-shipment services on the East Coast.”

Founded in 1923, the Port of Wilmington is an important asset for the local and regional economy, generating over 4,900 jobs and contributing over $16 million in annual tax revenues to State and local government.  The Port is owned and operated by the Diamond State Port Corporation, a corporation of the State of Delaware.  For further information, digital photos, free tours of the Port and free speakers contact: Vered Nohi-Becker, Marketing Services Manager at the Port of Wilmington @ (302) 472-7819, e-mail: vnbecker@port.state.de.us