Limited Embargo of Certain Shipments Destined for California

Date
Jun 23, 2022

In response to significant ongoing service challenges, BNSF plans to issue a temporary permit embargo affecting some westbound traffic moving to destinations in California. This limited embargo will impact automotive shipments as well as specific agricultural and industrial commodities. Intermodal shipments, which are being managed through alternate means, are not covered by this embargo. The embargo will take effect Monday, June 27, 2022 for waybills with a shipment date beginning Wednesday, June 29, 2022 and is currently scheduled to expire on July 31, 2022.

We have experienced a sharp increase in congestion throughout Southern California during the past few weeks due to several high wind events concurrent with the high levels of traffic seeking to move through the region. In addition, flash flooding from monsoonal rains caused a service outage earlier this week on a portion of our Southern Transcon near Laguna, New Mexico, approximately 70 miles west of Belen. Both main tracks at this location were out of service for several hours. Temporary speed restrictions were implemented while crews restored and inspected affected track, which resulted in additional congestion and reduced fluidity on the Transcon.

The resulting impacts have affected our ability to effectively align resources with freight volumes, particularly the efficient utilization of train crews in the region. While this embargo action will lead to some additional disruption to our affected customers in the short term, we are confident that this aggressive measure will provide the additional capacity needed to recover velocity and improve cycle times more quickly, as well as assist with resource availability.

This embargo applies to all commodities that are being shipped to destinations in California from the following states in the BNSF network: Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, Iowa, Illinois, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Tennessee and Texas. All eastern points of origin outside the BNSF network, which interchange through gateways located in the above states, are also included in this embargo.

For affected commodities, BNSF will issue permits to embargoed destinations. Permit requests must be submitted one week prior to desired shipment date. Customers can submit permit requests, as well as obtain more information, through this online form.

For the first week (June 29-July 5), BNSF will consider issuing permits to embargoed destinations for the below commodities:

Allowed Commodities Subject to Permit Request: June 29 – July 5
  STCC Description
Military 41117-series Military Impedimenta
Chemicals 28128-series Chlorine
  3274110 Water Treatment Chems
Fuels/Energy 29113-series Diesel
  28994-series Renewable Diesel
  28181-series Diesel Exhaust Fluid
  49063-series Fuel Oils
  49091-series Ethanol
Grains/Grain Products 01132-series Corn
  01136-series Milo/Sorghum
  01137-series Wheat
  01141-series Cottonseeds
  01144-series Soybeans
  01159-series Millet Seeds
  0134-series Beans/Peas
  14713-series Potassiums/Chemicals
  204-series Corn Syrup/Gluten Meal/Feed
  20621-series Sugar
  20859-series DDGs
  2091-series Cottonseed Meal
  2092-series Soybean Meal
  2812-series Potassiums/Chemicals
  49302-series Potassiums/Chemicals

Beginning July 6, the commodities listed below will be exempt from this embargo and any permit requirements:

Commodities Excluded from Embargo: Beginning July 6
  STCC Description
Military 41117-series Military Impedimenta
Chemicals 28128-series Chlorine
  3274110 Water Treatment Chems
  4901-4904-series Ammunitions & Gases
  4905-series Butanes
  4906-series Various Chemicals
  4907-series Various Chemicals
  4908-series Various Chemicals and Fuels
  4909-series Various Chemicals and Fuels
Fuels/Energy 29113-series Diesel
  28994-series Renewable Diesel
  28181-series Diesel Exhaust Fluid
  49063-series Fuel Oils
  49091-series Ethanol
Petroleum Products 14913-series Asphalt
  49082-series Petro Gas Pentane
  49616-series Asphalt, By Products & Petro Oil
Grains/Grain Products 01132-series Corn
  01136-series Milo/Sorghum
  01137-series Wheat
  01141-series Cottonseeds
  01144-series Soybeans
  00159-series Millet Seeds
  0134-series Beans/Peas
  14713-series Potassiums/Chemicals
  201-series Tankage/Tallow
  204-series Corn Syrup/Gluten Meal/Feed
  20621-series Sugar
  20859-series DDGs
  2812-series Potassiums/Chemicals
  2091-series Cottonseed Meal
  2092-series Soybean Meal
  2818-series Urea
  28191-series Ammonia Thiosulphate
  28199-series Di Calcium Phosphate
  2871-series Nitrogen/Fertilizers
  49133-series Alcohol
  49252-series Amino Ethylene
  49302-series Potassiums/Chemicals
  49363-series Fertilizer Acids/Solutions

If you have questions, please contact your BNSF sales representative.

This embargo is one of several actions being taken to improve network fluidity through Southern California. We appreciate your patience and will continue to provide updates on the status of this embargo and our progress in generating improved service performance.

About Embargoes:
Embargoes are temporary holds placed on freight to restrict the acceptance and handling of freight. You can search embargoes at the Association of American Railroads (AAR) Embargo Railinc website here (enter "BNSF" in the Issuing Road field to view active embargoes).