Supreme Court Dismisses CSX Antitrust Case Against Norfolk Southern

The U.S. Supreme Court has declined to review an antitrust case involving Norfolk Southern, closing a legal chapter in the dispute over rail access at the Norfolk International Terminals. This is reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.

Norfolk Southern Wins Supreme Court Battle Over CSX Lawsuit

On April 21, the Supreme Court refused to hear CSX Transportation’s appeal, effectively ending its legal challenge against Norfolk Southern.

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The original lawsuit, filed in 2018, accused Norfolk Southern and the Norfolk & Portsmouth Belt Line Railroad of setting an inflated switching fee of $210 per railcar.

The 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals dismissed the case in August, stating CSX had waited too long to file the antitrust claim. The four-year statute of limitations had already expired when CSX initiated the legal action.

Although the Supreme Court decision blocks further court proceedings, CSX continues to seek regulatory solutions. The Surface Transportation Board (STB) is currently reviewing the competitive implications of Norfolk Southern’s control over the Belt Line.

Regulators Examine Norfolk Southern Terminal Control

In March, the STB agreed with CSX’s request to treat the issue as a “significant transaction.” This ruling requires a more detailed investigation of how Norfolk Southern’s ownership affects competition at the port.

Norfolk Southern holds 57% of the Belt Line, while CSX owns the remaining 43%. However, regulators never formally approved that control, even though it dates back to 1982. CSX has challenged Norfolk Southern’s attempt to legitimize this arrangement through a minor transaction filing.

Earlier this month, Norfolk Southern submitted a proposed timeline for the STB to evaluate the case. While the legal route has reached a dead end, the regulatory process may still reshape access policies at the terminal.

Norfolk Southern welcomed the Supreme Court’s decision, calling the lawsuit baseless. In contrast, CSX voiced disappointment but emphasized its ongoing pursuit of competitive access via the regulatory process.

Source: www.trains.com

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