The California Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz) has announced the award of $27 million to support data system development and interoperability across California’s five container ports.
The state-level funding in the country, which was announced July 11, focuses on improving data functionality across California’s network of ports, which includes Los Angeles, Long Beach, Oakland, San Diego and Hueneme.
The agencies handle a staggering 40% of all U.S. containerized imports, supporting millions of jobs and generating billions in economic activity, data show.
The awards will fund 10 projects across the five ports that address key challenges in port operations and foster long-term statewide freight resilience. The projects encompass a wide range of solutions including optimization of cargo-routing, deployment of cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence, implementation of climate resiliency and emissions reductions measures, adoption of trucking appointment systems and the development of new data standards for cargo.
“California’s ports are critical to the stability of our national and global supply chains, as well as the health of our worldwide economy,” GO-Biz Director Dee Dee Myers said. “These historic, first-of-their-kind awards will allow us to use data to improve the functionality of our supply chain, and we look forward to working with our ports to further the momentum that these projects will generate across the state.”
The grant program and awards also mark a significant milestone in the governor and legislature’s investment in supply chain and goods movement, aimed at building long-term strength in the wake of global supply chain challenges during the pandemic.
“Through this critical funding and strong collaboration between California’s ports, key operators will now have essential data to help move goods using a more efficient, reliable and resilient transportation network,” California Transportation Secretary Toks Omishakin said.
The funds follow the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) last spring that formed the data partnership between the five ports. Both the MOU and the awards are expected to yield significant economic, environmental and transportation benefits for the state, according to GO-Biz.
“This unprecedented level of funding is crucial for California’s containerized ports as it will enhance the sharing of supply-chain data to improve information flow,” Port of Hueneme CEO and Port Director Kristin Decas said. “The funding will also accelerate the (port’s) data strategy enhancing commercial, operational and financial data-sharing systems.”
“This funding,” Port of Long Beach CEO Mario Cordero added, “will be important as we roll out these new enhancements to increase cargo velocity and tighten coordination across modes of transportation. We are grateful to the state of California and GO-Biz for their continued leadership in supporting data modernization to bolster goods movement.”
In a statement, Port of Oakland Maritime Director Bryan Brandes called the California Port Data Partnership “a monumental and strategic achievement.”
The grant allows the Port of Oakland to further expand its data environment, as well as improve the trucker appointment system to allow for a more seamless user experience, he said.
Also in a statement, Port of San Diego Board of Port Commissioners Chairman Frank Urtasun said that the agency is grateful to the governor’s office for prioritizing data partnerships among the ports.
“We are eager to upgrade our technology and create an interoperable system where we can share information and collaborate to further improve our maritime operations, increase cargo throughput and enhance customer service,” he said. “Together, we’re modernizing our seaports to strengthen the supply chain and to be greener and cleaner overall.”