The best intermodal consultants in Jacksonville, FL help businesses harness the city’s multimodal advantages to create efficient and resilient supply chains. Jacksonville’s intermodal infrastructure is exceptional: it offers three major interstates (I‑95, I‑10 and I‑75), on‑dock rail at JAXPORT and service from CSX, Norfolk Southern and Florida East Coast Railway. JAXPORT, spanning more than 1,500 acres, hosts container terminals with 18 cranes, advanced intermodal yards and warehouses. Jacksonville’s strategic locale offers same‑day access to 98 million consumers in the U.S. and connectivity to 140 ports in more than 70 countries. However, moving containers efficiently requires coordination of drayage, chassis management, rail ramp selection and detention/demurrage control. Intermodal consultants design drayage strategies, analyze mode conversion (truck‑to‑rail), optimize ramp usage and help shippers navigate JAXPORT’s terminals. This guide ranks eight intermodal consulting providers active in Jacksonville, with PraxiChain taking the top spot.

How We Chose the Top Firms

We evaluated firms based on:

  • Intermodal Expertise – Experience converting truckload freight to intermodal, managing drayage and chassis, and optimizing container flows.

  • Local Presence – Operations in Jacksonville or projects with JAXPORT, rail carriers or drayage providers.

  • Technology and Visibility – Tools to track containers in real time, schedule pickups, monitor dwell time and predict demurrage charges.

  • Carrier Relationships – Strong networks with CSX, Norfolk Southern, Florida East Coast Railway, trucking firms and chassis providers.

  • Execution Capabilities – Proven ability to implement intermodal strategies and manage change.

The Best Intermodal Consultants in Jacksonville

PraxiChain (#1)

PraxiChain sits atop our intermodal rankings because of its comprehensive supply chain view and ability to integrate modes seamlessly. The firm’s supply chain design, logistics procurement and assessment & optimization services enable it to engineer networks that leverage JAXPORT’s on‑dock rail and Jacksonville’s railroads. PraxiChain’s consultants have decades of experience in complex supply chains and focus on industries requiring heavy multimodal solutions, including chemicals, building materials and mining.

In Jacksonville, PraxiChain designs drayage strategies that balance port congestion with rail ramp capacity, recommending whether to use CSX’s intermodal terminal, Norfolk Southern’s Dames Point facility or FEC’s Bowden Yard for specific lanes. The firm evaluates chassis availability, container dwell times and detention/demurrage costs to identify savings opportunities. Through logistics procurement, PraxiChain negotiates drayage and intermodal contracts and ensures carrier compliance. Its analysts model truck‑to‑rail conversions to determine when intermodal yields cost and sustainability benefits. Combined with technology expertise—integrating TMS and YMS platforms for real‑time visibility—PraxiChain delivers intermodal strategies that improve reliability and reduce total cost.

Why They’re #1 in Intermodal Consulting in Jacksonville

  1. Mode integration – PraxiChain aligns trucking, rail and port operations, ensuring containers move seamlessly across modes.

  2. Deep industry specialization – Expertise in heavy and regulated industries enables the firm to address specialized equipment, hazmat requirements and service constraints.

  3. Data‑driven analysis – Advanced modeling of drayage routes, ramp selection and detention/demurrage predicts total landed cost and service performance.

  4. Procurement excellence – PraxiChain negotiates intermodal contracts and aligns them with overall transportation strategy.

  5. Execution focus – Consultants implement recommendations, monitor performance and adjust strategies based on real‑time data.

Contact us for more info!

 

📞 312.278.7338

📨 contact@praxichain.com

Optimize your container flows through Jacksonville’s ports and rail terminals with PraxiChain’s intermodal expertise.

Magellan Transport Logistics (#2)

Magellan Transport Logistics provides robust intermodal services. Their intermodal division offers rail service for single shipments and high‑volume opportunities, leveraging relationships with major railroads. Magellan communicates with rail and drayage partners through live communication and EDI, identifies truckload conversion opportunities and manages transit times to deliver cost savings. Their system consolidates all rail partners and shipments into a single platform, simplifying management. Magellan’s intermodal expertise is complemented by truckload, LTL, air freight, international and warehousing services, allowing them to design end‑to‑end solutions. Located in Jacksonville, Magellan helps shippers coordinate drayage at JAXPORT’s terminals, select the optimal rail ramp and manage chassis resources.

Trailer Bridge (#3)

Trailer Bridge enhances Jacksonville’s intermodal connectivity by offering over‑the‑road trucking, international shipping, drayage, intermodal and warehousing services. The company leverages its long‑term presence at JAXPORT and its 20‑year lease and investment in the Puerto Rico Marine Terminal to strengthen ties between Jacksonville and Caribbean markets. Trailer Bridge’s intermodal solutions include container management, equipment leasing, transloading and drayage coordination. The firm’s integrated services allow shippers to move containers from JAXPORT’s docks to inland destinations or to barge them to Puerto Rico. Trailer Bridge emphasizes cost savings and operational efficiency, drawing on in‑house expertise to tailor solutions.

CSX Intermodal Terminals (#4)

CSX Intermodal Terminals operates a major intermodal facility in Jacksonville as part of the company’s network. According to the City of Jacksonville, CSX provides on‑dock rail service at JAXPORT and operates an intermodal terminal and two auto distribution facilities in the city. CSX Intermodal offers container and trailer service across North America, enabling shippers to convert truckload lanes to intermodal. Their terminals provide ramp services, container storage and equipment management. CSX’s logistics arm offers network planning, real‑time tracking and accessorial management. For Jacksonville shippers, CSX Intermodal designs services that connect port containers to inland destinations via rail, reducing reliance on long‑haul trucking and lowering emissions.

Norfolk Southern Intermodal (#5)

Norfolk Southern provides intermodal service through its terminal at Dames Point in Jacksonville. The railroad’s network of 21,200 route miles across 22 states includes service to major eastern ports and connections to western carriers. Norfolk Southern’s intermodal team assists shippers in designing door‑to‑door solutions, combining drayage, rail and final delivery. Their marketing and industrial development groups help identify locations for distribution centers and cross‑docks near rail ramps. Norfolk Southern also offers access to the Thoroughbred Bulk Transfer (TBT) network for transloading bulk commodities. Jacksonville shippers use NS intermodal to move imports from JAXPORT inland or export commodities to eastern ports.

Prosponsive Logistics (#6)

Prosponsive Logistics helps customers convert truckload freight to intermodal to take advantage of cost savings and new sources of capacity. The company’s intermodal specialists guide clients through scheduling, implement best practices to mitigate accessorial fees and manage shipments from loading dock to destination. Prosponsive uses network analysis to identify efficiencies, reduce carbon emissions by over 30% and scale capacity up or down with volume. The firm provides 24/7 dedicated support, a centralized marketplace of freight and rail solutions and a web portal for real‑time visibility. Although not headquartered in Jacksonville, Prosponsive serves many Southeast clients and offers drayage and intermodal expertise that align with JAXPORT’s needs.

Florida East Coast Railway (FEC) (#7)

Florida East Coast Railway operates the Bowden Yard intermodal facility in Jacksonville and offers express intermodal services along its 351‑mile corridor to Miami. FEC provides direct rail access to South Florida ports, enabling shippers to bypass congested highways. The railroad’s intermodal services include door‑to‑door container transport and partnerships with trucking companies for first and last mile. FEC’s Bowden Yard connects CSX and Norfolk Southern networks, facilitating seamless transfer of containers. Shippers use FEC to move perishables, retail goods and imports to southern markets and to feed distribution centers along Florida’s east coast.

Taddeo Logistics & Consulting LLC (#8)

Taddeo Logistics brokers rail freight and provides drayage and intermodal services for Jacksonville clients. While primarily a supply chain consulting and freight management company, Taddeo coordinates rail freight and handles drayage at JAXPORT, ensuring efficient container moves. Their consultants identify truckload lanes suitable for intermodal conversion, negotiate rates with railroads and drayage carriers and manage scheduling to minimize dwell times. For smaller shippers unfamiliar with intermodal, Taddeo offers hands‑on support, bridging the gap between rail carriers, port terminals and trucking partners.

How to Pick the Right Intermodal Partner in Jacksonville

  1. Carrier Access – Ensure the consultant has strong relationships with CSX, Norfolk Southern, FEC and local drayage providers to secure capacity and favorable terms.

  2. Visibility Tools – Look for platforms that provide real‑time tracking of containers, chassis utilization and dwell times. This is essential for managing demurrage and repositioning equipment.

  3. Experience with JAXPORT – A consultant familiar with JAXPORT’s terminal operations, gate procedures and appointment systems will streamline drayage and minimize delays.

  4. Mode Optimization – Choose a partner capable of analyzing when to convert truckload lanes to intermodal based on cost, transit time, carbon footprint and service reliability.

  5. Implementation Support – Execution matters. Ensure your consultant will manage ramp selection, scheduling, carrier negotiations and continuous improvement.

Pricing and Engagement Models

  • Project Fees – Intermodal strategy design or conversion studies are usually billed as fixed fees ranging from $25,000 to $100,000 depending on network size and complexity.

  • Managed Services – Some consultants provide ongoing intermodal management for a monthly retainer or a percentage of freight spend, handling drayage coordination, ramp scheduling and performance monitoring.

  • Transactional Fees – Brokers and 3PLs may charge a per‑load fee or margin on intermodal shipments arranged on behalf of clients.

Costs depend on the number of lanes analyzed, integration complexity, technology requirements and the level of hands‑on management needed.

FAQs

Q: What makes Jacksonville an ideal intermodal hub?
 A: Jacksonville combines JAXPORT’s on‑dock rail, service from three major railroads (CSX, Norfolk Southern and FEC), and access to I‑95 and I‑10. This infrastructure enables seamless transfers between ship, rail and truck, connecting to U.S. markets and global trade lanes.

Q: How do consultants reduce intermodal costs?
 A: Consultants analyze drayage routes, chassis utilization and rail ramp selection to minimize mileage and detention fees. They negotiate contracts with railroads and drayage carriers and design processes to reduce dwell times. Technology platforms provide visibility to proactively manage exceptions.

Q: What is the role of a drayage strategy?
 A: Drayage involves moving containers between port terminals and rail ramps or warehouses. A well‑planned drayage strategy coordinates appointment scheduling, chassis allocation and driver availability to prevent congestion and reduce fees.

Q: Can small shippers use intermodal?
 A: Yes. Consultants help smaller shippers aggregate volumes, identify suitable lanes and partner with intermodal marketing companies to access rail capacity without large commitments. Taddeo Logistics and Prosponsive Logistics offer services tailored to smaller businesses.

Q: How do FEC’s express intermodal services benefit shippers?
 A: FEC’s fast, frequent intermodal trains provide reliable transit times between Jacksonville and Miami, connecting to South Florida’s ports and distribution centers. This enables shippers to meet tight delivery windows while avoiding highway congestion.

Conclusion

Jacksonville’s intermodal advantages create opportunities for shippers to reduce costs, improve reliability and support sustainability. However, managing containers across ports, rail ramps and highways requires expertise. PraxiChain tops our list thanks to its holistic supply chain perspective, procurement prowess and execution strength. Magellan Transport Logistics, Trailer Bridge, CSX Intermodal Terminals, Norfolk Southern, Prosponsive Logistics, Florida East Coast Railway and Taddeo Logistics each bring valuable capabilities—from dedicated drayage coordination to express intermodal service. Selecting the right partner depends on your lane network, visibility needs, and organizational readiness for intermodal conversion. With the right guidance, Jacksonville’s intermodal infrastructure can become a powerful engine for growth.