Beyond the Docks : From Inland Ports to Transloading

Special Report

The new 224-acre inland Port of Nevada ( pictured ) will handle containers heading to and from the Port of Oakland . ITS Logistics

New inland Port of Nevada provides alternative to draying ocean boxes

By Ari Ashe

The Port of Nevada officially opened in mid-June , accepting cargo in CMA CGM containers and becoming the third new pop-up intermodal facility to open in the western US this year .

The 224-acre inland port in Fernley , Nev ., about 30 minutes east of Reno , is handling imports and exports between the Port of Oakland and northern Nevada through ocean carrier CMA CGM and rail carrier Union Pacific Railroad ( UP ). ITS Logistics will be the drayage provider hauling the import cargo between the inland port and its final destination in northern Nevada and collecting exports to bring back to the port .

“ Direct rail access between Reno and the West Coast significantly increases the amount of cargo freight that can be shipped ,” Stuart Lichter , president of the Port of Nevada , said in a statement . “ This collaborative venture will provide our clients with a more efficient , reliable and environmentally sensitive way to transport goods .”

The Port of Nevada is the latest inland location in the western US looking to capitalize on strict regulations in California that are driving up costs for trucking companies . UP launched an inland service on Feb . 1 between the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach and Phoenix , Ariz ., looking to take market share away from one of the busiest corridors for truckload , less-than-truckload and container drayage on the West Coast . Now it ’ ll serve another inland port neighboring California .

However , while UP ’ s Phoenix Intermodal Terminal has a strong base of business in Phoenix and Tucson , two major freight hubs , it is unclear how much business can be generated in northern Nevada for the Port of Oakland .

“ Union Pacific is excited about offering shippers in Nevada a fast , sustainable option to move product in and out of Northern California ,” said Reed Janousek , UP ’ s assistant vice president for marketing and sales , told the Journal of Commerce . “ We believe this new intermodal service will create savings and efficiencies for our customers and open new business opportunities in the region .”

“ This new intermodal service will create savings and efficiencies .”

A third inland terminal opened this year in Tri-Cities , Wash ., on the shores of the Columbia River near the Oregon border . It began operating in mid-February offering service to the ports of Seattle and Tacoma , shipping farm products such as hay .

“ The Port of Nevada ... is great for connecting northern Nevada to the international supply chain through the Port of Oakland , which hugely benefits the state ’ s economy and our own sustainability efforts ,” Adam Angle , senior vice president of ITS Logistics , told the Journal of Commerce .

email : ari . ashe @ spglobal . com

36 Journal of Commerce | July 1 , 2024 www . joc . com