• GE Transportation and Port of Long Beach technology pilot results include advanced visibility of incoming cargo, with 14+ days faster access to information
  • Port Optimizer pilot participants advocate expanded usage of the platform across the greater San Pedro Bay port complex
  • New features help lead to improved turn times while increasing throughput as well as more productive turns; leading to increased supply chain performance

CHICAGO - GE Transportation (NYSE:GE) and the Port of Long Beach have recently completed a three-month technology pilot to improve cargo flow at the busiest port complex in North America. The initial outcomes of the pilot include proven advanced visibility of incoming cargo, with 14+ days faster access to information; improved turn times while increasing throughput; and more productive turns; all leading to increased supply chain performance.  Equally as important, the pilot deepened technology and stakeholder collaborations.  Pilot participants are excited about the opportunity to expand usage of the platform across the greater San Pedro Bay port complex following the system’s debut at the Port of Los Angeles last year.


“Many of our industry’s inefficiencies are the result of a lack of transparency between stakeholders, which creates an inability to plan operations in advance,” explains Weston LaBar, CEO of the Harbor Trucking Association. “On a typical day, a trucker/dispatcher will need to access more than 40 websites to facilitate their operations in the port. This system will aggregate data from all stakeholders, condense it in one single access point, and allow truckers to begin planning their operations at least 10 days in advance of containers being ready for pick-up. This portal has the potential to solve many of the problems we deal with today.”

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.

“Instead of relying on decentralized systems and partners for our inbound visibility, GE’s Port Optimizer presents great potential in providing real-time information regarding our time-sensitive imports through platform functionality including:  vessel tracking, vessel operational status, container availability status, empty container management, and chassis inventory,” says Donna Servais, Sr. Director, International Logistics & Direct Import Operations, Office Depot, Inc. “In partnership, these functionalities will work together to drive more effective forecasting, better asset management, and greater flexibility within any organization’s Supply Chain.”

For the Port of Long Beach pilot, GE launched additional Port Optimizer functionality for marine terminal operator and landside transportation integrations, to facilitate better planning and gate transactions.  For example, GE expanded drayage final mile capabilities through a collaboration with Envio 360 that enables real-time, port-to-door visibility to bring goods to market in a more reliable and predictable manner.

“Integrating the Envio 360 Drayage Optimization Platform enhances Port Optimizer’s capabilities to deliver greater supply chain visibility and response,” said says Jennifer Schopfer, Vice President and General Manager of GE Transportation Transport Logistics.  “Standardized and real-time intermodal drayage data enables better capacity management and utilization, with visibility to intermodal container drayage at maritime ports, railroad networks and yards, and intermodal terminals, to increase supply chain reliability and improve planning.”

The Port of Long Beach Board of Commissioners will be reviewing the results of the pilot in the coming weeks.

“We were very pleased with the level of participation and engagement from our customers and supply chain stakeholders during the pilot demonstration,” said Noel Hacegaba, Deputy Executive/COO at the Port of Long Beach. “We look forward reviewing the results of the pilot with our Board and determining the next steps in our participation in the Port Optimizer portal.”