UIPA, Port of Oakland to cooperate

The Utah Inland Port Authority (UIPA) and the Port of Oakland have signed an agreement calling for cooperation in improving the flow of cargo to and from the Northern California gateway and the planned Utah logistics system.

The cooperative agreement focuses on reducing congestion and cost associated with goods movement through the corridor by optimizing the existing on- and near-dock rail system of the Port of Oakland to reduce dwell times and improve the speed and consistency of rail deliveries to and from Utah, UIPA said in a release. UIPA will, in turn, develop transloading capacity within its jurisdiction to accept those imports and increase export capacity from Utah businesses.

“This partnership is a huge step to establishing Utah as a transformational location in trade logistics,” said Jack Hedge, executive director of the Utah Inland Port Authority. “Working directly with the nation’s western cargo gateways will shape new trade patterns for the western U.S.”

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 20-foot containers, the largest monthly amount of imports in the port’s 94-year history.

“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,” said Port of Oakland Maritime director Bryan Brandes.

Reducing air pollution and improving energy efficiency are also key components of the agreement, with both the Port Authority and Port of Oakland working together on emerging and innovative fuel and energy technologies to deploy along the corridors connecting the two entities, Hedge said.

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.