Red Sofa Interview: How California State is investing in finished vehicle logistics

Casey was appointed to the new role for freight in February. Now, a few months into the position, Casey explains the role was created as a result of the supply chain crisis and the evident need for a high-level position to coordinate and oversee the stakeholders in the FVL supply chain.

“Since then, fortunately the crisis has calmed down, our freight and goods movements are going smoothly, but we still have an important role to play,” she says.

Casey says the State recently made a $1.2 billion investment in ports through the Port Freight Infrastructure programme. “We awarded 15 projects throughout the ports in our State and in some air quality districts for charging, for on-dock shore power for boats to plug in when they come to port and not have to have emissions when they’re unloading, and many projects dealing with rail improvements at the ports to help the efficient movement of containers onto those rail cars,” she says. “So many improvements can be made to not only help improve air quality but also to help ensure that the ports are getting the projects that they need to keep these goods moving.” 

Sustainability is also on the list of priorities, and Casey adds that the ports will be the next site of supply chain demand with the need for offshore wind in California, as well as opportunities in hydrogen, and says: “That will be really high-value energy for a lot of our transportation system.”

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