The Port of Los Angeles has become the first US member of the International Port Community Systems Association.

“We are delighted to join IPCSA,” said Gene Seroka, executive director of the Port of Los Angeles. “Our purpose in joining this elite global association is to enhance our efforts for a common understanding of how port community systems operate and what they can deliver today and in the future. IPCSA provides that platform. IPCSA’s consultative status at the International Maritime Organization and the key role it plays in international standards meetings, including the World Customs Organization, ISO, UN/CEFACT and IATA, are important to us.”

The Port of LA is currently working with terminals to implement its Port Optimizer platform throughout the port complex to provide advanced visibility and optimize planning throughout the supply chain. The platform was developed in coordination with GE Transportation.

“We are delighted to welcome Los Angeles and to have our first member from the United States,” said Richard Morton, secretary general of IPCSA. “This is another exciting expansion of the membership and geographical reach of IPCSA, which started out as a European organization only seven years ago.”

The IPCSA was founded in 2011 as the European Port Community Systems Association and was relaunched in 2014 as an international association, reflecting its growing membership outside Europe. Its members operate across the world, exchanging electronic information at more than 150 seaports and airports, rail and inland waterways, and border-crossing points. This equates to more than 500 million TEUs and 7 billion tonnes of world trade a year, a reach of over 1 million users, and the exchange of more than 30 million messages per day in support of efficient seaports and airports.

“IPCSA provides a platform for members from around the world to share and exchange experience and best practice in the smooth flow of information, to enhance cargo flow and trade facilitation,” said Morton. “As an association, IPCSA continues to go from strength to strength. We represent our members at the highest levels, including through our consultative status at the International Maritime Organization and Special Consultative Status at UN ECOSOC.”

The Port of Los Angeles is the busiest port in North America, having handled 9.3 million TEUs in 2017.