Technology Infrastructure is Key to Port Competitiveness

When the 2019 USC Marshall Global Supply Chain Excellence Summit convened last August, Port of Los Angeles Executive Director Gene Seroka placed special emphasis on technology infrastructure.

That same theme was sounded when he delivered the fifth annual “State of the Port” address, this week.

According to Seroka, LA is working to accelerate digital transformation of the supply chain by creating a port community system to connect critical cargo data points.

Furthermore, that the maintains that the ort continues to be recognized as one of the nation's leading digital “Smart Ports” with its Port Optimizer online information portal continuing to gain ground. The system covers 95% of all the containerized cargo flowing through the port.

Nine of the 10 leading carriers are feeding data into the Port Optimizer, and Wabtec, the port's digital partner in development of the Port Optimizer is now exploring end-to-end supply chain data integration with leading blockchain providers.

In the coming week, pending approval by the Los Angeles Board of Harbor Commissioners, the Port anticipates announcing the selection of its partner for the design and construction of a new Cyber Resilience Center. The Center will serve as a neighborhood “cyber-watch” system to protect data flowing through the port community.

Seroka reiterated 2020 as an important year for ongoing implementation of the Clean Air Action Plan, as well as the Port's continued pursuit of zero-emission technology to further build on emission reductions achieved over the last decade.

Currently the port is testing 78 zero-emission drayage trucks and 74 zero-emission yard tractors, and working with Port partners to test eight new zero-emission top handlers in the coming year. On tap for 2020 will be additional demonstration projects, including a new large-scale zero-emission drayage truck project testing a fleet of 50-100 zero-emission trucks.

SC
MR