The Port of Los Angeles and GE Transportation have entered into a partnership to pilot a port information portal which will digitize shipping data and make it available to cargo owners and supply chain operators.

According to the port, the digital platform is the first of its kind and will offer greater line-of-sight and planning capabilities to more effectively handle ultra-large container vessels.

“To keep pace with the rapidly changing shipping landscape, operations at our ports must evolve,” said Gene Seroka, executive director of the Port of Los Angeles. “Digital solutions that enable supply chain partners to receive a ship’s cargo information well in advance of arrival, like with the digital portal we are envisioning with GE Transportation, are a critical key to optimizing US cargo efficiency and trade competitiveness.”

The goal of the portal is to improve the flow of data between stakeholders so that port and terminal operators have more time to track inbound cargo, optimize cargo movement and improve the predictability and reliability of the supply chain.

“Our partnership with the Port of Los Angeles will unlock the power of big data at one of the largest ports in the world and demonstrate how digital can enhance and improve operations,” said Jamie Miller, president and CEO of GE Transportation. “This initial pilot will generate the insights to build a smarter, more efficient supply chain moving forward.”

The cargo data used in the two-month pilot project will include filtered information from the US Customs and Border Protection’s Automated Commercial Environment system.

“Over the past year, the US Department of Commerce has redoubled our efforts to help strengthen the competitiveness of our ports and supply chain stakeholders through the adoption of digital solutions,” said Penny Pritzker, secretary of commerce. “The innovative steps being taken in Los Angeles will demonstrate the value of new IT systems to ports and shippers, and help catalyze the voluntary implementation of these systems at ports throughout the US. We commend the Port of Los Angeles and GE for launching this visionary initiative.”