Knight-Swift Transportation Holdings today announced its support for the proposed merger between the Union Pacific Railroad and the Norfolk Southern Corporation.
In a statement, the trucking company said it believes the merger – uniting the western and eastern rail networks into a coast-to-coast railroad – will "greatly benefit intermodal transportation by enabling seamless single-line service from coast to coast." The combined Union Pacific–Norfolk Southern network will make cross-country intermodal shipping faster, more fuel-efficient, and more reliable than ever, according to Knight-Swift.
Union Pacific has proposed acquiring Norfolk Southern for $85 billion. The proposed merger is being reviewed by the federal Surface Transportation Board. A decision is not expected until early 2027.
The union representing railroad workers opposes the proposed merger.
Knight-Swift said for its intermodal customers, a unified transcontinental railroad promises shorter transit times and simplified logistics. Freight that used to interchange between separate railroads mid-journey will now stay on one rail line all the way from origin to destination, eliminating handoff delays, according to the carrier.
Adam Miller, CEO of Knight-Swift Transportation, voiced his support for the merger’s potential: “This is a significant breakthrough in U.S. freight transportation. By knitting together a coast-to-coast rail network, Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern are creating new efficiencies that will benefit everyone – from logistics providers like us, to our customers, to the end consumers.
"As a company that operates thousands of trucks and thousands of intermodal containers, we know the power of combining modes. This unified rail system will let us seamlessly integrate our trucking with rail on cross-country shipments like never before. The result will be faster deliveries, and lower fuel usage, which is great news for American businesses.”
Miller added that Knight-Swift Transportation is "proud to support the UP–NS merger because it aligns with the company’s mission of delivering cost-effective, environmentally responsible freight solutions. With its extensive truck fleet and intermodal operations, Knight-Swift plans to leverage the merged railroad to offer customers new coast-to-coast services that take full advantage of rail’s efficiency and trucking’s flexibility."
The company said it anticipates more shippers – especially those moving goods from coast to coast – will embrace intermodal options as the service becomes simpler and transit times improve. Ultimately, Knight-Swift expects the merger will bolster U.S. supply chain resilience and competitiveness by maximizing the efficient use of both trucks and trains, the compoany's statement said.
