3Gi is about Intermodal 3.0, a new generation of intermodal systems and operations that address emerging trade and transportation issues. 

Serving Mid-Country Markets

3Gi addresses the need for short- to mid-distance intermodal rail and barge container services to America's mid-country regions. Historically, intermodal services have been long-haul and transcontinental, serving east coast and heartland markets from west coast ports. 3Gi services are the reverse, serving mid-country markets from east and gulf coast ports, faster and over shorter hauls. 3Gi provides both north-south and east-west services to reduce truck traffic, provide expedited service, and reduce pollution and congestion at coastal ports and at inland destinations.  

In Response to the Shifting Trade Lanes

3G intermodal infrastructure is in response to migrating trade lanes brought on by shifting production and consumption axes, and the widening of the Panama Canal. The outcome of 3G intermodal development is largely dependent on the success of two aspects, specifically container-on-barge development (including short-sea-shipping) and short-haul intermodal rail.  The former functioning as “marine highways” serving the nation’s interior from Gulf Coast ports and the latter serving as “reverse mini-landbridges” from East/Gulf Coast ports to inland markets. 

1. Marine Highways – This refers to the use of inland rivers and waterways (marine highways) to ship containers to and from inland markets.  Now more than ever, marine highways offer an opportunity to support a third generation of intermodal terminals and services.  They present a unique opportunity for developing container load centers that can offer a triple-play of intermodal services – truck, rail and barge. 
2. Reverse Mini Rail Landbridges – They serve the reverse role of the current trans-continental landbride for containers to/from Asia, except on a smaller scale.   Instead of calling on West Coast ports, containers are shipped through the Panama Canal to the East/Gulf Coast and then shipped by rail or truck to points west  The challenge is in the cost competitiveness of the rail reverse mini landbridge, given the close proximity of the markets to the ports. 

These 3Gi initiatives provide a blueprint toward addressing the impact of the Panama Canal widening, and toward maintaining a competitive national economy. 3Gi does not replace or compete with existing intermodal systems and services.  3Gi complements the traditional array of intermodal services by adding a new layer of services, increasing and enhancing the intermodal share of the transport landscape.

The Panama Canal Window

The widening of the Panama Canal presents a unique window within which to target a 3G intermodal development strategy.  The likely repositioning of trade lanes and load centers as  a result of the canal’s widening presents that best case for developing 3G intermodal systems that offer a triple-play of intermodal services.  Moreover, the intermodal strategies and investments currently being put in place will remain for decades, so the cost of missing this window of opportunity is significant.  There will not be as major a development in the industry for the foreseeable future.  The time to put 3G intermodal into place is now.  

How do Trade Demand Drivers Impact the Demand for Infrastructure Services?

When trade demand drivers change, they cause structural changes in global and regional supply networks, which in turn have an impact on the distribution of trade volumes across the various global trade lanes.  And changes in trade lanes result in changes in the demand for freight services at freight load centers and gateways, as well as along inland intermodal transport corridors.Key issues addressed by 3Gi include the impact of emerging structural changes in global trade lanes and the expansion of the Panama Canal.