The Utah Inland Port Authority (UIPA) has signed an agreement with the Port of Oakland to improve the flow of cargo to and from the Northern California gateway and the Utah Logistics system.
In a statement, the UIPA said the cooperative agreement focuses on reducing congestion through the corridor by optimising existing on- and near-dock rail system at the Port of Oakland to reduce dwell times and “improve the speed and consistency of rail deliveries”.
Jack Hedge, Executive Director of UIPA, said, “This partnership is a huge step to establishing Utah as a transformational location in trade logistics.
“Working directly with the nation’s Western cargo gateways will shape new trade patterns for the Western US.”
The Port of Oakland is a principal gateway for international containerized cargo with three container terminals and two intermodal rail facilities serving the Oakland waterfront.
In April, the Port handled the equivalent of 100,096 TEU, the largest monthly amount of imports in the port’s 94 year history.
Port of Oakland Maritime Director Bryan Brandes also commented, “We’re seeing a nonstop trade surge that has no signs of slowing.
“This collaboration with the Utah Inland Port Authority creates a path to long-term stability in the supply chain by improving fluidity and velocity as goods move inland.”
Reducing air pollution and improving energy efficiency are also key components of the agreement, with both parties working together on emerging and innovative fuel and energy technologies to deploy along the corridors connecting the two entities.
Programs, services, and facilities that are developed through the agreement will be promoted exclusively through the Port of Oakland to carriers, shippers, and service providers.
In a recent interview with PTI, UIPA said data visibility and inland logistics was vital to helping the US out of pandemic-induced supply chain crisis.
