“Port of Nevada” Promises Cargo Transport

Dubbed the “Port of Nevada,” a sprawling 224-acre inland port operation and intermodal ramp owned and developed by Industrial Realty Group, LLC (IRG) is set to launch. The venture, undertaken in collaboration with Union Pacific Railroad, CMA CGM Group, and the Port of Oakland, aims to revolutionize freight transport between Fernley and Oakland.

Stuart Lichter, President of the Port of Nevada and IRG, highlighted the significance of the direct rail access linking Reno to the West Coast, which promises to enhance the capacity and efficiency of cargo freight transportation.

“This collaborative venture will provide our clients with a more efficient, reliable, and environmentally sensitive way to transport goods,” Lichter stated.

The Port of Nevada features a state-of-the-art rail facility integrated into Union Pacific’s extensive network. The facility supports a range of operations, including bulk commodity and intermodal trans-loading, storage of diverse commodities, and opportunities for build-to-suit developments and on-site storage solutions.

Direct rail access promises cost savings and supply chain efficiencies but also positions the Port of Nevada as a sustainable solution amidst ongoing supply chain challenges and the weather-impacted and congestion-prone Interstate 80 corridor.

Clients opting for rail transport can expect to reduce their carbon footprint and mitigate impacts from road conditions, trucking regulations, and carbon emissions. Union Pacific notes that transporting one ton of cargo nearly 400 miles consumes just one gallon of diesel fuel while contributing only two percent of transportation-related greenhouse gas emissions compared to medium- and heavy-duty trucks’ 25 percent.

French shipping and logistics company CMA CGM Group, the exclusive ocean carrier partner of Port of Nevada through 2024, ensures global connectivity to key markets in Asia and Europe, further enhancing the port’s strategic importance.

Local economic development authorities, including the Northern Nevada Development Authority (NNDA) and the Economic Development Authority of Western Nevada (EDAWN), support the project, with each emphasizing its role in bolstering the region’s economic landscape and attracting advanced manufacturing businesses to Nevada.

Taylor Adams, CEO of EDAWN, highlighted the coastal connectivity provided by IRG as a critical asset for companies in Western Nevada, pledging ongoing support for the project’s expansion and growth throughout the region. Jeff Sutich, Executive Director of NNDA, echoed this sentiment, underscoring the project’s alignment with Nevada’s focus on onshoring businesses and its designation as a federally designated Tech Hub.