U.S. works with firms in supply chains to ease port congestion

By David Shepardson

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Transportation Division (USDOT) mentioned on Wednesday a provide chain pilot data-sharing undertaking aimed toward easing bottlenecks at congested U.S. ports has begun exchanging knowledge and doubled in dimension.

USDOT introduced the deliberate undertaking in March with truckers, shippers, wholesalers, retailers and ports “to develop a digital instrument that offers corporations data on the situation of a node or area within the provide chain.”

The hassle often called the Freight Logistics Optimization Works (FLOW) program included 18 preliminary individuals together with FedEx, UPS, C.H Robinson, Albertsons, Goal in addition to the Ports of Lengthy Seashore and Los Angeles and ocean carriers CMACGM and MSC and Fenix Marine Terminal and International Container Terminals.

U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg known as this system a “first-of-its-kind initiative to share data and assist transfer items extra shortly and cheaply.”

The White Home mentioned in March the aim was to create a “proof of-of-concept freight data trade by the tip of the summer season.”

The division is holding a gathering on Wednesday to debate preliminary safe knowledge sharing with USDOT of the group that has now expanded to 36 individuals together with logistics big DHL, a part of Deutsche Put up DHL Group, long-haul trucker J.B. Hunt, Maersk, Samsung, Procter & Gamble and Prologis to

USDOT mentioned it's serving as “an impartial steward of provide chain knowledge throughout a largely privately-operated enterprise that spans transport traces, ports, terminal operators, truckers, railroads, warehouses, and helpful cargo house owners.” 

Samsung Electronics North America CEO KS Choi mentioned “knowledge sharing enabling well timed cargo supply is a piece in progress however stays incomplete. Fixing this drawback would require cooperation with many stakeholders throughout the availability chain.”

On Monday, the Nationwide Retail Federation (NRF) mentioned imports at main U.S. container ports are anticipated to sluggish considerably for the rest of the yr however 2022 ought to nonetheless see a internet acquire over 2021.

“Decrease volumes could assist ease congestion at some ports, however others are nonetheless seeing backups and international provide chain challenges are removed from over,” the NRF mentioned.