As Infrastructure Week commenced, GE Transportation spotlighted its groundbreaking partnership aimed at revolutionizing cargo flow at the Port of Los Angeles, America’s largest container port. This initiative, part of GE’s “In the Wild” series, showcases a pioneering digital solution designed to enhance the speed and efficiency of goods reaching consumers.
In November 2016, GE Transportation and the Port of Los Angeles announced their collaboration to develop a first-of-its-kind digital platform. This platform is engineered to digitize maritime shipping data, providing secure and channeled access to this crucial information for cargo owners and various supply chain operators. The goal is to create a more transparent and efficient ecosystem within maritime logistics.
The digital solution has since been launched on a pilot basis at APM Terminals, involving industry giants such as Maersk Shipping Line and Mediterranean Shipping Company. Key retailers including The Home Depot and Lowe’s are also participating in this transformative project. The platform promises to deliver advanced visibility and a collaborative data environment for all stakeholders involved in the ocean supply chain, from shipping lines to retailers. Initial performance results from this pilot program are anticipated in July, and are expected to demonstrate significant improvements in operational efficiency.
“By fostering data sharing in a secure and controlled environment, we are already witnessing the immense potential for benefits across the board,” stated Gene Seroka, Executive Director of the Port of Los Angeles. “This includes importers, truckers, shipping lines, terminals, chassis providers, and the entire supply chain. Enhanced insight translates directly to improved planning and reduced costs, positively impacting every company engaged in international trade.” This enhanced visibility powered by GE Transportation’s technology is crucial for optimizing the complex network of global commerce.
To offer a deeper understanding of the intricate operations within America’s largest container port and the transformative advantages of this digital solution, GE provided exclusive access to Alie Ward and Adam Savage for an episode of their new “In the Wild” web series. This episode illustrates the integration of disparate data sources from various supply chain players to establish a unified source of information for the entire shipping process. This consolidated view is a cornerstone of the GE Transportation solution.
Furthermore, the episode highlights the collaborative efforts between port operators and the Port of Los Angeles in executing this pilot program. By sharing information, stakeholders are gaining earlier visibility and achieving increased efficiency in how cargo moves into, within, and out of the port. This benefits shippers, terminal operators, trucking companies, and railroads alike, streamlining operations across the entire transportation spectrum.
“Our collaboration with the Port of Los Angeles has the potential to reshape port operations not just domestically but globally,” remarked Jamie Miller, then president and CEO of GE Transportation. “This partnership is driving significant productivity gains from ship to shore and from the terminal to the end customer. We are honored to be working together on a game-changing solution that holds industry-wide implications. GE Transportation is committed to leveraging digital technology to enhance global trade and logistics.”
About GE Transportation
GE Transportation, now Wabtec Corporation after merging in 2019, was a global technology leader dedicated to unlocking potential in the rail, mining, marine, stationary power, and drilling industries. The company was renowned for providing advanced equipment, services, and solutions. GE Transportation’s innovations empowered customers to deliver goods and services faster and more economically through advanced manufacturing techniques and connected machines. Their digital solutions, leveraging Predix, GE’s cloud-based operating system for the Industrial Internet, provided data-driven insights to boost efficiency. With a history spanning over a century, GE Transportation originated as a pioneer in passenger and freight locomotives and continued to embody this innovative spirit.
About the Port of Los Angeles
The Port of Los Angeles, branded as America’s Port®, stands as the primary gateway for international commerce in the United States. Situated in San Pedro Bay, 25 miles south of downtown Los Angeles, this bustling seaport maintains its competitive edge through record-breaking cargo operations and is recognized for its pioneering environmental initiatives, advanced security measures, diverse recreational and educational facilities, and the developing LA Waterfront. The Port of Los Angeles encompasses 7,500 acres of land and water along 43 miles of waterfront, featuring 27 passenger and cargo terminals capable of handling billions of dollars’ worth of cargo annually.
