Founded in 1999, Tideworks started as the IT arm of SSA Marine, developing intellectual property before spinning off into its own entity. Tatterson recalled how the company’s first client was a small container terminal in British Columbia, Canada.
With time, Tideworks has become a global terminal operating system (TOS) player. In September, the company celebrated its 25th anniversary—a milestone that, according to Tatterson, reflects its innovation and dedication to the logistics industry.
US and UK experience critical
Tatterson explained that Tideworks’ first experience with the rail sector occurred in 2009 when a client in Tacoma, Washington, sought a solution to optimise its rail terminal operations, similar to what Tideworks had already successfully achieved in container terminals.
The team recognised the similarities between rail and maritime container operations and worked over two years to develop a solution. Since then, Tideworks has expanded its rail-focused technology, managing operations for CSX, a leading Class 1 U.S. railroad. Over the years, the company has honed a mature, modern software suite that is flexible enough to meet the needs of large, complex rail networks.
Tideworks also gained valuable experience working with Freightliner (formerly known as Genesee and Wyoming) in the U.K. The logistics environment in the U.K. differs from the U.S., where trains can be over a mile long with hundreds of containers, underlined Tatterson.
“In the U.K., shorter trains share tracks with passenger rail, making the optimisation challenge unique. Through this project, Tideworks improved efficiency across the U.K.’s rail network—a testament to the company’s ability to adapt to regional differences. This experience has laid the groundwork for Tideworks’ expansion into Europe, where similar challenges exist in the rail freight market,” he highlighted.
