Thread: Newly opened rail cargo facility could double amount of trains processed in Laredo

Newly opened rail cargo facility could double amount of trains processed in Laredo, congressman says

Laredo Morning Times
Published 10:30 am, Friday, August 18, 2017

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Photo: Cuate Santos/LMTonline

A Kansas City Southern engine pulls a northbound train after U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Servicio de Administración Tributaria (SAT)/Aduana Mexico and Kansas City Southern together with U.S. Rep. ... more


Much like the Mexican customs pre-inspection station at Laredo International Airport, Mexican customs officials will now work in Laredo to more quickly facilitate Kansas City Southern and Union Pacific rail traffic.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection senior management, together with counterparts from Servicio de Administracion Tributaria/Aduana Mexico, private sector partners from Kansas City Southern along with local congressional and municipal representatives gathered in Laredo on Thursday to dedicate a processing building that will improve joint rail operations in the city.

Rep. Henry Cuellar, D-Laredo, said these new efficiencies could double the amount of trains being processed in Laredo daily to over 40.

"This is important because it shows a new level of cooperation between the two governments," Cuellar said. "We're finding a way where we can balance security and still have a legitimate trade."

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This program in Laredo will be a model for the rest of the border area, he said. Laredo Mayor Pete Saenz said it was an honor to be a witness to this event.

"The ongoing collaboration and partnership efforts between CBP, SAT/Aduana Mexico and Kansas City Southern have yielded an innovative approach to processing increased rail traffic through the largest rail corridor on the Southern Border in a way that helps both countries realize their security and facilitation priorities," said CBP Deputy Executive Assistant Commissioner John Wagner, Office of Field Operations.

Located close to the railhead of the Laredo International Rail Bridge, the rail processing building dedicated Thursday was constructed by KCS and enables Mexico Customs officers to work collaboratively with CBP officers.

The joint operations allow Mexico Customs to complete their outbound inspections and CBP to perform their inbound inspection processes simultaneously, eliminating unnecessary delays and duplication while maintaining security and facilitating lawful commerce.

The joint operations are coupled with increased training and information sharing designed to strengthen the effectiveness of security efforts while enhancing understanding of private sector rail operations to help better facilitate traffic flow.

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The collaborative efforts are designed to help refine security while facilitating lawful commerce at a port of entry that has experienced a 16.5 percent increase in northbound rail traffic growth in 2017 and which is poised for increased growth in the future.

Among the key senior managers and dignitaries participating in the rail processing building dedication were CBP Deputy Executive Assistant Commissioner John P. Wagner, (A) Executive Director Sidney Aki, Director, Field Operations David P. Higgerson, Laredo Field Office, Gerardo A. Suarez, Government of Mexico SAT/Aduana Mexico representative, U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar, City of Laredo Mayor Pete Saenz, President and Chief Executive Officer Patrick Ottensmeyer, Kansas City Southern and Vice President Bernardo Ayala, Union Pacific.

http://www.lmtonline.com/local/artic...o-11942162.php

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