Identifying data constraints that affect the flow of ocean cargo and create further supply chain problems will be the focus of a new Federal Maritime Commission effort, that aims to pinpoint how data can contribute to the long-term reliability of the cargo delivery system.
This initiative will propose recommendations for common data standards used by the international shipping supply chain, as well as access policies and protocols that would streamline information sharing across the ocean supply chain. Its initial findings will be presented at a Maritime Data Summit in Spring 2022.
Events of the past year have proven the need for the United States to achieve more capacity from our cargo delivery system. Information sharing and additional transparency in how containers move is one way we can move more containers more efficiently
said FMC Chairman Daniel B. Maffei.
Over the course of the project Commissioner Bentzel will carry out research, interviews, round tables, and hold public meetings to inform the “status quo” in maritime data.
He will also explore what common ocean shipping data is created with each hand-off of a container through the supply chain, how that data is stored and shared, and identify what are the critical data elements used by each supply chain party.
Ocean carriers, marine terminal operators, truckers, railroads, and other government agencies are among those who will be invited to provide insight about data definitions, classification, and recommendations for improving interoperability of data records involving container shipping.
Initial deliverables will include a data inventory and recommendations for common standards.
The first public meeting Commissioner Bentzel will hold is planned to take place next month in Washington.
I have already met with many port industry leaders and stakeholders around our coastlines, and the topic of reliable, actionable operational shipping information to help more efficiently move cargo was one of the foremost topics of concern
said Commissioner Bentzel.
The project is the latest effort by the Federal Maritime Commission to address supply chain efficiency and congestion issues.
