logistics industry

US works with firms in supply chains to ease port congestion

Reuters

This is AI generated summarization, which may have errors. For context, always refer to the full article.

US works with firms in supply chains to ease port congestion

PORT. Shipping containers are seen at a terminal inside the Port of Oakland as truck drivers continue protesting against California's new law known as AB5, in Oakland, California, July 21, 2022.

Carlos Barria/Reuters

The United States' Freight Logistics Optimization Works program expands to 36 participants from the initial 18

WASHINGTON, USA – The US Department of Transportation (USDOT) said on Wednesday, August 10, a supply chain pilot data-sharing project aimed at easing bottlenecks at congested US ports has begun exchanging data and doubled in size.

USDOT announced the planned project in March with truckers, shippers, wholesalers, retailers, and ports “to develop a digital tool that gives companies information on the condition of a node or region in the supply chain.”

The effort known as the Freight Logistics Optimization Works (FLOW) program included 18 initial participants including FedEx, UPS, CH Robinson, Albertsons, Target, as well as the ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles and ocean carriers CMA CGM and MSC and Fenix Marine Terminal and Global Container Terminals.

US Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg called the program a “first-of-its-kind initiative to share information and help move goods more quickly and cheaply.”

The White House said in March the goal was to create a “proof-of-concept freight information exchange by the end of the summer.”

The department is holding a meeting on Wednesday to discuss initial secure data sharing with USDOT of the group that has now expanded to 36 participants including logistics giant DHL, part of Deutsche Post DHL Group, long-haul trucker JB Hunt, Maersk, Samsung, Procter & Gamble, and Prologis.

USDOT said it is serving as “an independent steward of supply chain data across a largely privately-operated enterprise that spans shipping lines, ports, terminal operators, truckers, railroads, warehouses, and beneficial cargo owners.”

Samsung Electronics North America chief executive officer KS Choi said “data sharing enabling timely cargo delivery is a work in progress but remains incomplete. Fixing this problem will require cooperation with many stakeholders across the supply chain.”

On Monday, August 8, the National Retail Federation (NRF) said imports at major US container ports are expected to slow significantly for the remainder of the year but 2022 should still see a net gain over 2021.

“Lower volumes may help ease congestion at some ports, but others are still seeing backups and global supply chain challenges are far from over,” the NRF said. – Rappler.com

Add a comment

Sort by

There are no comments yet. Add your comment to start the conversation.

Summarize this article with AI

How does this make you feel?

Loading
Download the Rappler App!