IMC Logistics, the leader in sustainability

IMC Logistics is a leader in many respects. From its beginnings as a regional family-owned drayage provider in 1982, IMC Logistics has grown to become the largest marine drayage company in the United States. The company now has a national footprint offering innovative solutions to a wide range of customers.

Sustainable Equipment

IMC is an early adopter of alternate fuel sources for its trucks. The company was one of the first to purchase electric trucks and has the largest fleet of hydrogen trucks in North America.

IMC also operates electric yard hostlers. These zero-emission units have extended batteries and can charge in two hours or less. The yard equipment is efficient, with a capacity for 81,000 lb. containers.

While some transportation and logistics companies are challenged to meet the zero-emissions deadlines set by the Environmental Protection Agency and California, IMC is leading the way.

“One needs only to drive around the communities near the California ports to know that we must strive to do better to protect our environment and those who work and live there,” said Jim Gillis, Pacific Region President for IMC. This same attitude is evident throughout the IMC network.

“Simply deploying these zero-emission vehicles is not enough,” said Gillis. “To be successful, planning for charging electric vehicles is crucial.” To that end, IMC installed a system of chargers for electric tractors and internal battery storage.

“This allows our team to charge the tractors at any time, regardless of electrical grid status. The charging stations then replenish themselves when the grid stress is least, reducing our burden on the infrastructure,” Gillis explained.

For over a decade, the company has been part of the SmartWay^® Transport Partnership, a collaboration between the EPA and the trucking industry. SmartWay^® helps carriers advance supply chain sustainability by measuring, benchmarking, and improving freight transportation efficiency.

IMC Logistics aims to replace all diesel tractors in California by 2028 with sustainable technologies.

Facilities

IMC has also taken an aggressive stance with facility improvement, both in warehouse operations as well as general electrical savings. All IMC facilities in California have been upgraded to both interior and exterior LED lighting to dramatically reduce energy consumption.

“The IMC transload facility located in Compton has been converted to an all-electric forklift model and we also have a Battery Electric Yard Hostler at this site. We’re proud that our Compton facility is carbon-neutral,” said Gillis.

Processes that Support Sustainability

“Maximizing sustainability is as much about processes as it is about equipment. That’s why we developed SmartStacks, our proprietary version of a ‘peel pile’ that improves port efficiency, decreases dwell time, and enhances the cargo experience for shippers, drivers, and end users alike,” said Gillis.

In 2024 IMC Logistics and Fenix Marine Services (FMS) joined forces to operate the supply chain industry’s first fully clean energy SmartStack. FMS segregated and stacked the containers designated for the IMC SmartStack at their terminal using their hydrogen fuel cell top-pick handler.

IMC drivers then picked up and delivered containers using its fleet of zero-emission vehicles. This collaboration highlights the company’s commitment to reducing carbon emissions while ensuring efficient and sustainable logistics operations.

Rail Solutions

Rail is viewed as one of the most environmentally responsible modes of transport, and IMC Logistics is an asset-based trucking company that collaborates with Class 1 railroads to transition long-haul trucking services for international containers to rail transport. This blended approach yields more efficient routes and takes advantage of the company's strategically located facilities to minimize miles, reduce stop-offs, and eliminate unnecessary moves.

For IMC Logistics, sustainability is not a mandate to be met, but a way of doing business that supports the supply chain and the people who live and work in the areas where the company operates. The company’s sustainability statement says it all:

“As the largest marine drayage company in the nation and a global thought leader, it is incumbent upon us to operate in a manner that protects the environment and enables longevity for all involved in the supply chain, from shippers to end users and beyond. We believe so much in the power of drayage that we want to practice it in a way that enables it to continue indefinitely.”