Norfolk Southern, Port of Virginia create country’s 1st RailGreen Corridor

The Port of Virginia announced in May that it is collaborating with Norfolk Southern on its new RailGreen program that reduces supply-chain emissions for shippers.  

With the first-of-its-kind emission-reduction program for freight rail connecting to the East Coast’s most sustainable port, shippers now have the nation’s first “RailGreen Corridor” to conduct business. 

Where is it?  

Norfolk Southern runs daily service to and from the Virginia Inland Port—the Port of Virginia’s intermodal terminal in Front Royal.  

VIP connects to the Port of Virginia’s terminals in Norfolk Harbor.  

Cargo owners using Norfolk Southern’s lane can participate in RailGreen and reduce emissions. 

How RailGreen works

Norfolk Southern’s low-carbon biofuel use in locomotives generates RailGreen certificates. 

Customers purchase certificates to apply toward their supply-chain emissions. 

As customers purchase certificates, Norfolk Southern acquires more biofuel. 

Why it matters 

A company’s supply-chain emissions are the hardest to track and tackle.  

RailGreen makes it possible.  

The partnership will contribute to a reduction in scope 3 emissions on the East Coast. 

Collaborative effort 

RailGreen builds on Norfolk Southern’s sustainable initiatives like increased biofuel, solar power for rail yards and hybrid locomotives.  

The Port of Virginia is the East Coast’s first port to power all terminals with 100 percent clean energy, and cargo moves there with the lowest emissions on the coast. 

What powers RailGreen?  

Blockchain-backed Environmental Attribute Certificates from 123Carbon—a leading, independent book-and-claim platform—ensure each metric ton of reduced emission is tracked to avoid double counting.  

Third-party validation verifies carbon-reducing activities against international standards. 

“Rail is already the most sustainable way to transport goods over land, and we’re not resting on that advantage,” said Ed Elkins, Norfolk Southern’s executive vice president and chief commercial officer.  

“By working with the Port of Virginia, we’ve created a green-shipping solution for customers transporting goods to and from the coast,” Elkins said.  

Stephen Edwards, CEO and executive director of the Virginia Port Authority, added, “The goal is to provide cargo owners options. With more and more cargo owners emphasizing their interest in modern, cleaner supply chains, this effort goes right to that point.”