North Carolina's sophisticated network of railroads, highway corridors, maritime ports and air cargo facilities support and sustain a vibrant economy composed of highly diversified commercial and industrial sectors, each with a unique and complex supply chain.
Together with a host of relevant stakeholders, the N.C. Department of Transportation’s Office of Logistics & Freight promotes and improves freight and logistics activities throughout the state, supporting the economic and social well-being of all North Carolinians.
The office ensures that the state of North Carolina aligns planning and infrastructure investment with the needs of industry and the demands of citizens for goods and market access.
How Logistics & Freight Works
Freight moves through North Carolina’s ports, depots, highways and airports and is transported via trains, planes, trucks and cargo vessels. This multimodal transportation network is the physical manifestation of commerce. As goods make their way to the marketplace, this infrastructure is the foundation of transport logistics, warehousing, and distribution.
Companies utilize existing transportation infrastructure, structuring processes and organizing supply chains to reduce costs and improve service delivery or reliability. As new infrastructure is built and expands the network, short-term impacts are seen in shifting procurement and operations activities. Yet in the long run, companies may find opportunity in new markets or face wholesale changes in their business model.
Understanding the complex relationship between transportation infrastructure and the economy means in-depth learning about the decisions that drive industrial supply chain management.
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