For release November 13, 2006
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VIT, OCEMA Win 2006 Intermodal Achievement Award

FORT LAUDERDALE, FL, November 13, 2006 — The Intermodal Association of North America (IANA) selected the Ocean Carrier Equipment Management Association (OCEMA) and Virginia International Terminals (VIT) as co-recipients of the 2006 Intermodal Achievement Award for their efforts to improve international chassis productivity.

The organizations received their awards today at the opening session of the 2006 Intermodal Expo in Fort Lauderdale. OCEMA and VIT teamed up to create the Hampton Roads Chassis Pool II at ports in the Norfolk, Virginia area. The pool, which enabled both ocean carriers and motor carriers to use chassis much more efficiently, resulted in a 23 percent reduction in the equipment inventory and a 27 percent increase in asset utilization.

Co-operative chassis pools are managed by a single entity, such as VIT, for the benefit of multiple users, whose members in this case are 27 ocean carriers serving the port. The steamship lines supply chassis in proportion to the total amount of business they move through the region’s ports. Motor carriers also increase their efficiency by having the flexibility to use any participating company’s chassis to transport a load instead of having to spend time matching a particular ocean carrier’s chassis with its container.

“This project at the second-biggest Atlantic Coast port can be a springboard for the creation of a national network of co-operative chassis pools,” said Michael B. Wilson, chairman of the Intermodal Association of North America. “OCEMA and VIT worked together to lower costs, reduce congestion inside terminals, and provide better service. This program exemplifies the best attributes of our industry, which thrives by successful, coordinated efforts that enhance efficiency.”

Peter Keller, chief operating officer of NYK Line North America and chairman of OCEMA, and Rick Knapp, assistant general manager for VIT, accepted the awards from Wilson on behalf of their organizations.

IANA is North America's leading industry trade association representing the combined interests of the intermodal freight industry. IANA's membership includes railroads, water carriers and stacktrain operators; port authorities; intermodal truckers and over-the-road highway carriers; intermodal marketing and logistics companies; and suppliers to the industry such as equipment manufacturers, intermodal leasing companies and consulting firms. IANA's associate members include shippers, academic institutions, government entities and non-profit associations.

Intermodal Association of North America, Suite 1100, 11785 Beltsville Drive, Calverton, MD 20705 http://www.intermodal.org/