Canadian Tire and CP unveil 60-ft. container in Calgary

CALGARY, Alta. – Canadian Tire and Canadian Pacific (CP) unloaded its 60-ft. container in Calgary today (April 26), marking the maiden voyage for the intermodal trailer in Alberta.

Canadian Tire said the container – seven feet larger than the standard 53-ft. trailer – is the first to be used in North America, and will serve as an intermodal solution to increase productivity and efficiency, as it allows the retailer and CP to transport more products – 13% additional freight – as well as reduce transportation costs and greenhouse gas emissions.

The larger containers are currently only regulated for use in Alberta and Ontario, and the demonstration of the 60-ft. container in Calgary was the kickoff for its first venture onto Alberta roads.

“Things like LCVs (long-combination vehicles), the acceptance of those grows over time and I think this will be no different,” Jonathan Wahba, vice-president of sales and marketing for CP, told Truck West. “This is the next evolution of 53-ft. containers to 60s, and over time it will evolve.”

Wahba said when LCVs were rolled out in Ontario, there was engineering that was required to on- and off-ramps, but that will not be the case with 60-ft. containers.

“With LCVs there were certain routes that you could travel and only certain interchanges that were approved by the government where you could make the turn,” said Wahba. “With (60-ft. containers) that engineering is not going to be required.”

Neil McKenna, vice-president of transportation for Canadian Tire, said his company has one of the largest transportation networks in the country, moving more than 100,000 different types of products to 500 stores in Canada.

“Our supply chain infrastructure is one the most modern in Canada, capable of supporting growth and efficiently managing the increasing number of products we transport,” McKenna said. “This new configuration will enable us to increase the volume shipped in each container by 13%, which ultimately allows us to carry more good per trip, resulting in an improvement in service to our stores and our customers.”

McKenna highlighted the non-extendable 60-ft. chassis that was on display at CP’s Intermodal Terminal in Calgary – six of which are currently on the road – as well as the expandable chassis, which goes from the standard 53-ft. length to 60-ft., which takes seconds to expand, which was revealed to Truck News in Quebec.

CP had been testing the 60-ft. container for several months prior to its release, including using a prototype on existing 53-ft. containers in an effort to mimic the 60-ft. configuration in transit.

CP and Canadian Tire also collaborated to offer the first 53-ft. intermodal container in 1994.

“At CP, we are constantly looking for ways to do our business better, safer and more efficiently in order to serve our customers and the nation’s economy,” said Wahba. “In Canadian Tire, we have found an innovative partner that shares our passion for customer service, sustainability and safety.”

Canadian Tire and Canadian Pacific roll out the first 60-ft. intermodal container to be put on Alberta roads in Calgary, Alta. April 26.

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A university graduate with a degree in English, I have worked in the media and trucking industries as a writer, editor, and now as western bureau chief of Today's Trucking and TruckNews.com. I have several years of management experience in journalism, as well as hospitality, but am first and foremost a writer, both professionally and in my personal life, having completed two fiction novels.
derek@newcom.ca
@DerekClouthier


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  • In Canadian Tire’s big rush to be more ‘efficient’ I’m certain they have consulted drivers to find out which of their stores have the space in their lots to maneuver these 60 foot containers. As most drivers know many retail locations barely have sufficient space to manuever a 45 footer and daycab.

    • That’s why you should buy stock in the company. Wish I would have done so 5 years ago…. it’s the only way to make money these days.

  • Give it tine. We have some triple short trailers on the road now ( started as doubles). thanwent to double48’s than53’s soon wee’l see 60’s then we’ll see triple 60’s maybe even longer trains.Of course the driver is responsible for the safety and all else that goes with the operation of the combo. the savings goes to the compameis but the driver gets little or no extra compensation for the extra work.

  • This is awesome for light weight product, but we have problems getting 53 foot containers loaded right as is missing the easy loading of 48 containers for 20 skids weight 42500.
    Looking at the photo they need a bigger truck under the load.

  • Here in the Netherlands we have LZV as we call them, (long, heavy transport) those take either 1x 20′ + 1x 40′ or 3x 20′ – it comes to the equivalent of the 60 ft, but easier to move on premises – its still a double handling for the company, but it reduces the costs of non-deliveries when using a 60 ft container.