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Supply Chain Productivity: Boston, New York/New Jersey, Oakland

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A new mobile application introduced by the Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport) aims to shorten the already speedy truck times at Conley Container Terminal in the Port of Boston. The app will provide customers, primarily trucking companies and drivers, access to container availability information in real time on their smartphones before they arrive at the terminal, saving time and avoiding potential issues at the terminal gate. The Port of New York and New Jersey's Council on Port Performance’s newly introduced Terminal Information Portal System (TIPS) enables users to check container availability and export booking status, as well as to obtain information on terminal-specific news such as extended hours, holiday schedules or row closures at all six of the port's container terminals. The summer-long backlog of container ships at San Francisco Bay is fading, says the Port of Oakland. The port said on September 1 that for the sixth straight day no vessels were at anchor waiting for berths at its five marine terminals.

Boston: Massport Launches Container Availability App Pilot at Conley Terminal

A new mobile application introduced by the Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport) aims to shorten the already speedy truck times at Conley Container Terminal in the Port of Boston. The app will provide customers, primarily trucking companies and drivers, access to container availability information in real time on their smartphones before they arrive at the terminal, saving time and avoiding potential issues at the terminal gate. 

"Conley Container Terminal is very proud of its low wait times and rapid truck turn times," said Massport Acting Port Director Lisa Wieland. "We welcome the implementation of any technology that can potentially continue to improve our customers’ experience and save them time and money. Anything that streamlines logistics for our customers also streamlines logistics for us. This paired success can provide a more efficient and successful working port and create more good-paying blue collar jobs for men and women in the Commonwealth."

Functions of the mobile application mirror the existing web application and provide information that is generally available from the terminal. Conley Terminal customers who have a Forecast web portal account can download the app from the Apple App Store and Google Play for free. 

Conley Container Terminal, New England’s largest marine container facility, currently serves six ocean carriers and handles approximately 1.5 million tons of cargo annually. 

New York/New Jersey Port Launches Terminal Information Portal System 

The Port of New York and New Jersey's Council on Port Performance (CPP) on September 1 announced the launching of TIPS – the Terminal Information Portal System. 

TIPS is a central web portal that enables users to check container availability and export booking status as well as to obtain information on terminal-specific news such as extended hours, holiday schedules or row closures at all six of the port's container terminals. Users can also use the system to obtain information on empty container return locations and vessel schedules. 

TIPS is provided by Sustainable Terminal Services, Inc. (STS), a nonprofit corporation whose members include five of the six marine terminals at the Port of New York and New Jersey. STS developed TIPS in response to a Tier One recommendation of the Port Performance Task Force which led to the current Council on Port Performance.

The recommendation called for a port-wide community information system that would give port users a central web platform from which they could access a variety of information to streamline their business processes. Previously, STS developed and implemented the RFID-based truck identification system designed to enhance security and the environmental quality of the port area. 

TIPS is available to truckers, beneficial cargo owners, and other service providers.

Click here to see a list of FAQs for the TIPS system. 

While TIPS will eventually provide interactive functionality for empty container return locations and vessel schedules, STS wanted to deliver this central system in advance of the peak shipping season to assist port users. 

"Effective information management is critical to an efficient intermodal supply chain. TIPS will help optimize logistics planning and information sharing in the port," said Molly Campbell, PPM®, Port Commerce Department Director for The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey and chair of the CPP. 

Port of Oakland: Vessel Traffic Jam in San Francisco Bay Fading

The backlog of container ships crowding San Francisco Bay is fading, says the Port of Oakland. The port on September 1 reported no vessels at anchor waiting for berths at its five marine terminals. It was the sixth straight day of no waiting after a summer-long buildup of ships.

"The vessels waiting to berth have been declining the past three weeks," said Maritime Director John Driscoll. "Ships are arriving in Oakland and going straight to berth – just what our customers need and how we expect the port to operate every day."

As many as 13 ships filled the San Francisco Bay anchorage in July. They were delayed by a labor shortage that slowed vessel loading and unloading in port. Since then, the number has steadily dwindled.

The port said that an influx of additional longshore labor during the past six weeks helped eliminate the backlog. About 150 more dockworkers are joining the work force. They’re being augmented by more than 300 casual or part-time workers. Another 30 marine clerk positions are being created, as well.

In the four days ending September 1, all requests for labor have been filled at Port of Oakland marine terminals. For much of the summer, only 50 to 70 percent of the labor orders were filled.

The port cautioned that vessel backlogs could reoccur until all longshore labor reinforcements are in place, a process that could take another four-to-six weeks. Growth in the labor force is expected to be completed in time for the autumn peak shipping season.
 

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