The Port of Oakland is taking part in the U.S. Department of Transportation Freight Logistics Optimization Works (FLOW) effort, joining other West Coast seaports in a real-time information-sharing network that improves the movement of goods, the port announced Aug. 21.
FLOW, a public-private partnership, allows information to be pulled from a number of sources, including purchase orders and booking data, from importers with information from terminals, rail and ocean carriers, the Northern California seaport said.
“We appreciate the USDOT for the opportunity to join the FLOW initiative,” Port Executive Director Danny Wan said in a statement. “FLOW will allow us to leverage valuable, goods movement information with our existing data initiatives.”
“This will result in creating a more resilient, efficient and sustainable supply chain up and down the West Coast,” he added.
Oakland’s participation in FLOW adds to the port’s own information-sharing efforts. In July, the port netted a $3 million grant from the California Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development for its Integrated Data Environment.
That includes the Oakland Portal, which gives real-time updates on terminal turn times for truckers, dispatchers and port staff members.
