The Port of Nevada has partnered with Union Pacific to provide intermodal service to and from the Port of Oakland, according to a June 12 announcement.
The inland ramp provides intermodal service between Fernley, which is about 34 miles east of Reno, Nevada, and about 240 miles from the Port of Oakland. The site is expected to help ease truck traffic, reduce carbon emissions and improve inland shipping container distribution.
"Direct rail access between Reno and the West Coast significantly increases the amount of cargo freight that can be shipped," said Stuart Lichter, president of the Port of Nevada and Industrial Realty Group, which owns the port and the site.
Logistics provider CMA CGM will handle container shipments as the port’s exclusive ocean carrier partner through 2024, according to the announcement. Services at the inland port include bulk commodity and intermodal transloading and storage of multiple commodities
Nevada officials hope the new intermodal port will lure advanced manufacturing businesses eyeing U.S. expansion.
As home to one of the country’s largest lithium mines, numerous investments have been made in the state to advance EV battery production and development. Recent announcements included Lithium Americas’ plan to mine and process battery grade lithium in Humbolt County, Nevada and Tesla’s plan to invest more than $3.6 billion in the state to produce batteries and semi trucks.
"As a federally designated Tech Hub, focused on onshoring businesses to Nevada, this site is in a prime position to support advanced manufacturing companies that will be expanding to the State," said Jeff Sutich, executive director of the Northern Nevada Development Authority.
