North Star Container International, a subsidiary of North Star Rail Intermodal, LLC, has opened an office in the Greater Chicago area to serve suppliers of grain and grain products shipping commodities to markets in Asia and Europe. Containerized shipping lowers costs and increases profitability for farmers, processors and ethanol producers. North Star Container International (NSCI) is a full service non-vessel operating common carrier (NVOCC) that also has operations in Minneapolis.
"Containers allow us to maintain the quality of the products being shipped," says Robert (Bob) Reinecke, president of NSCI. "By combining short-line railroads and containers, we bring the containers closer to the product origination point, again saving transportation costs for our customers."
North Star Container's scheduled intermodal train service enables customers to commit specific quantities in advance to global customers on a year round basis, giving both sellers and buyers abroad the ability to secure product more efficiently with greater profit margins. In the Greater Chicago area, commodities are transloaded from trucks to containers at a number of terminals contracted by NSGI. In addition to the intermodal terminals, NSGI has negotiated contracts with several major shipping lines serving the Asian and European markets.
Working in concert with its sister companies, North Star Grain International and North Star Terminal, NSCI ships:
- Distiller's dried grains solubles (DDGS), a by-product of ethanol production that is used for livestock and poultry feed.
- Identity-preserved grains and grain products that need their unique pedigrees maintained as they move from farms or elevators to their final destinations.
- Other high-quality grains and grain products that can command higher prices because they are not mixed with lesser quality products and arrive in sealed containers that prevent contamination.
Reinecke joined North Star Container in January bringing more than 20 years of experience in global shipping with CP Ships and Hapag-Lloyd. He has extensive experience in linking Midwest commodities with global markets. While with CP Ships, Reinecke helped launch their Midwest Transpacific providing additional volumes and services for Midwest import/export.
About North Star Rail Intermodal, LLC
North Star Rail Intermodal, LLC, (NSRI) provides transportation and marketing services for grain and grain products to Asian and European destinations. Through its subsidiaries, North Star Grain International, North Star Container International and North Star Terminal, NSRI integrates the movement of commodities from the point of origination to delivery at their final destination. Headquartered in Edina, Minn., NSRI has offices in Chicago and Montevideo.