GE: Big Data for a big port

Written by William C. Vantuono, Editor-in-Chief
image description

A pilot project utilizing advanced analytics software from GE Transportation is under way at the Port of Long Beach, Calif., the busiest port complex in North America. Designed to improve container movements at three of the port’s six container terminals—Long Beach Container Terminal, Total Terminals International and International Transportation Service—the two-month project incorporates GE’s Port Optimizer™ software to access data to move containers more efficiently.

The system debuted at the Port of Los Angeles last year.

“Not only will GE be piloting Port Optimizer’s core capabilities around advanced visibility and planning, but we are also launching some Long Beach-centric functionality—marine terminal operator and landside transportation integrations for better planning and gate transactions, including MatchBack Systems for dual transactions, and advanced/predictive analytics addressing truck congestion using GeoStamp’s IoT (Internet of Things) platform,” said GE Transportation Vice President and General Manager of Transport Logistics Jen Schopfer.

Port Optimizer “enhances cargo flow as participating terminal operators and other stakeholders receive much improved advance notice of cargo arrival, coordinated with data on the availability of equipment, labor and other resources needed to move that cargo through the supply chain,” GE said. “These capabilities serve many stakeholders across the port complex, including but not limited to marine terminal operators, ocean and motor carriers, railroads and beneficial cargo owners.”

GE describes GeoStamp as “software designed with drayage in mind. Profitability relies on the speed of operations, and [Geostamp] optimizes fleet efficiency at terminals and helps increase the total number of moves transacted by providing a variety of views, allowing an operations team to identify bottlenecks and to uncover areas for improvement.”

MatchBack Systems, Inc. is a Software as a Service (SaaS) organization “with innovative solutions and proprietary optimization technologies that use Big Data analytics to automate and prioritize matchbacks* globally. MatchBack Systems’ services lower overall supply chain costs, improve efficiency and reduce emissions. The company’s signature services include: MatchAdvisor™, the leading street-turn optimization solution in the industry, and MatchMarketplace™ which presents the best two-party matchbacks.”

“We welcome the opportunity to have this exciting technology demonstrated here in our Port,” said Port of Long Beach Executive Director Mario Cordero. “We are always searching for new means toward improving operational efficiencies in the supply chain as it moves through this port complex. We look forward to observing Port Optimizer in action.”

“Moving goods more efficiently through this important gateway is the key to accommodating future cargo growth,” said Long Beach Harbor Commission President Lou Anne Bynum. “The data collected during this pilot at some of our busiest terminals could help to accomplish this, and we look forward to seeing the results.”

“GE’s Port Optimizer is expanding its operational footprint to include the Port of Long Beach and will now serve the broader San Pedro Bay port complex,” said Weston LaBar, CEO of the Harbor Trucking Association. “The HTA is committed to the rapid adoption of technology and digitization of the supply chain. As we become a proactive, rather than reactive, industry, Port Optimizer is the key tool that will enable the necessary data visibility and multi-stakeholder systems integrations for these efforts to be successful. This project has the potential to be the single-most impactful enhancement to our industry since the adoption of containerization.”

*According to Matchback Systems,“Matchback and street-turn are used interchangeably and refer to the matching of import and export containers to minimize the miles driven, increase container velocity and reduce emissions.”

Tags: , , , , , ,