California’s five containerized ports inclusive of the Port of Hueneme, the Port of Long Beach, the Port of Los Angeles, the Port of Oakland, and the Port of San Diego, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in Sacramento launching the California Port Data Partnership alongside state and federal partners.
The MoU outlines an agreement between the five ports to jointly advance computerized and cloud-based data interoperability with a common goal of supporting improved freight system resilience, goods movement efficiency, emissions reduction, and economic competitiveness.
Over the past months California’s five ports and the State have held bi-weekly roundtables to develop the framework for the MoU. The MoU and partnership will serve as the basis of cooperation for the $27M in grant funds from GO-Biz for port data system development. The funds were included in the Budget Act of 2022 which included a historic multi-billion-dollar state investment in California’s goods movement and supply chain sectors.
The digitalization of shipping is a growing trend worldwide. More and more shipping companies and organizations are starting to employ technology and AI as a means to improve efficiency and decarbonize shipping. For instance, this week alone, other than California’s case, a digitalization effort was launched in Singapore through the Centre for Maritime Digitalisation (A*STAR’s C4MD).
California’s ports are an essential link in the global supply chain. Thanks to the leadership of Governor Newsom and our state Legislature, California is establishing a first-of-its-kind, collaborative data system between all our state’s containerized cargo ports
… said California Lieutenant Governor Eleni Kounalakis
This MoU and the funds that follow will build the basis for greater cooperation and standardization when it comes to data in our supply chain. I want to thank all of our partners across the supply chain as well as our ports for their leadership in this effort.
… said GO-Biz Director and Senior Advisor to Governor Gavin Newsom, Dee Dee Myers.
California Transportation Secretary Toks Omishakin noted that this agreement will help develop a world-class data partnership that, coupled with strategic infrastructure investments, will improve efficiency throughout the supply chain and keep California at the forefront of innovation.
The California Legislature additionally emphasized the importance of such investments in the budget in the wake of supply chain challenges in years past. Assembly member Mike A. Gipson (D-Carson) stated that he is happy to see all of California’s containerized ports come together and sign the Memorandum of Understanding that will give $27 Million for data system development.
Each of California’s five containerized ports also weighed in on the importance of the MOU and the partnership’s opportunity to improve the collective supply chain and further innovation within the freight and goods movement sectors.
The ports’ point of view
This strategic technological alignment and partnership will take the state to the next level by connecting the supply chain with a cloud-based cargo data system that promises to minimize disruptions and prosper fluidity in goods movement.
… said Kristin Decas, CEO and Port Director for the Port of Hueneme.
Port of Long Beach Executive Director Mario Cordero also showed enthusiasm that California’s ports can enable end-to-end visibility and connectivity across the supply chain. Port of Los Angeles Executive Director Gene Seroka highlighted the importance of data sharing, which is not just a competitive advantage, but a public necessity.
It’s fitting that this digital supply chain solution originates in California, the technology capital of the world.
… said Port of Oakland Executive Director Danny Wan.
Port of San Diego Board of Port Commissioners Chairman, Rafael Castellanos, noted that they are an indispensable economic engine pumping $9.2 billion into the county’s economy and they are thankful for the opportunity to collaborate with other California ports to further improve operations, increase throughput and enhance customer service through the Ports Data Partnership. This is particularly important, he said, as San Diego Port, through its Maritime Clean Air Strategy is creating a greener, cleaner, and more modern seaport.
