The government of California has announced a US$30 million investment toward developing a shared data system aimed at improving the flow of goods at the Port of Long Beach and four other major seaports in the state.

In a statement, Port of Long Beach said it will devote its share of funding to the ongoing development, enhancement and refinement of its Supply Chain Information Highway, a digital solution designed to maximize efficiency and visibility in cargo movement.

"Sharing vital shipping data will reduce delays and aid the entire goods movement industry from the docks to doorsteps," said Mario Cordero, executive director at Port of Long Beach.

"By working together, California's ports can enable end-to-end visibility and connectivity across the supply chain."

Sharon L. Weissman, president of the Long Beach Harbor Commission noted that consumers and shippers expect cargo visibility in this era of e-commerce and overnight deliveries.

"A single, unified clearinghouse of information will move goods more quickly and efficiently," he said.

Under the terms of a memorandum of understanding signed on April 26, in Sacramento, Gov. Gavin Newsom said the one-time US$30 million allocation from the California Budget Act would be shared by the Port of Long Beach, the Port of Los Angeles, the Port of Oakland, the Port of San Diego and the Port of Hueneme.

The Port of Long Beach 2021 partnered with a tech firm, St. Louis-based UNCOMN, to create the Supply Chain Information Highway and provide partners with access to data to plan, schedule and track cargo containers.

With the project now in Phase 2, developers are focusing on enhancing the system’s interoperability, particularly among other seaports.

The Port of Oakland, the Northwest Seaport Alliance, the Utah Inland Port Authority, PortMiami and the South Carolina Ports Authority are collaborating and participating with the Port of Long Beach in the project.