Port of Oakland’s Maritime Director Bryan Brandes signed a historic Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the State of California, along with representatives from four other major containerized California ports on Wednesday, April 26, 2023. The MOU is the foundation of the state’s plan to establish a California ports data-sharing program (California Port Data Partnership) that will improve the flow of goods and enhance supply chain visibility efforts. The signing took place at an event hosted by California Transportation Secretary Toks Omishakin and California Go-Biz Director Dee Dee Myers.

"Today is a welcome day for California ports and the global logistics industry. Establishing the data-sharing program is an innovative and meaningful approach to enhancing the flow of goods through our state," said Port of Oakland Maritime Director Bryan Brandes. "Goods movement efficiency encourages importers and exporters to select California for their sea-going trade, and that supports jobs, positive economic impact, and community benefits in our state."

Dee Dee Myers (Center), Senior Advisor to the Governor and Director to the California Governor's Office of Business Development (GO-Biz); Toks Omishakin (left of Dee Dee Myers), Secretary of the California State Transportation Agency (CalSTA); Port of Oakland Maritime Director Bryan Brandes is second from the end on the right.

The California Port Data Partnership is modeled after a nationwide effort unveiled by the Biden Administration in March to standardize the data available on current cargo flow across the nation, reducing consumer costs and providing real time data for more efficient delivery operations.

The signing of the MOU signals a continued commitment to data and infrastructure investments and partnerships that will further advance California ports as centers of innovation.