FMC initiative calls for national portal to deliver supply chain information

Supply chain innovation teams, created by the Federal Maritime Commission, say a national portal could improve port performance and increase American economic competitiveness.    A national portal to deliver supply chain information could improve port performance and increase American economic competitiveness, according to “supply chain innovation teams” created by the Federal Maritime Commission.
   FMC Commisioner Rebecca Dye has been leading the FMC initiative since May to engage leaders from commercial sectors of the U.S. international supply chain in discussions to identify commercial solutions to U.S. supply chain operational challenges.
   The FMC recruited 34 industry leaders and grouped them into three teams that focused on the import leg of international trade through the largest U.S. ports of Los Angeles, Long Beach and New York/New Jersey.
   According to the FMC, all three teams determined that the improved supply chain visibility would be their central focus and that “timely access by all supply chain actors to relevant critical information via a national portal would be their overall goal.”
   Dye said, “The proposal for a national portal that provides a set of useful, actionable information has tremendous potential and it can serve as the foundation of a supply chain infrastructure system capable of serving the requirements of international commerce.
   “I am excited about the prospects for this proposal to develop into a great competitive advantage for the economic vitality of the United States. I am optimistic we can find a way to build a pilot.”
   Examples of high priority information that would benefit supply chain actors are container, chassis and dray truck availability.
   Dye announced that a second phase of the initiative will be launched next year to focus on exports.
   The FMC has also posted an executive summary of Dye’s interim status report on the work of the supply chain innovation teams.