Category Archives: Ports

DCSA publishes framework of just-in-time standards for main port call activities

Posted on November 16, 2021 by | 1 comment

Standards for port call activities could provide a basis for a data exchange system for status, and could also provide motivation for a priority basis for specific containers.

There’s currently no message or signaling system allowing all the supply chain partners to move a given container to know the required speed of service. Partners can’t coordinate unless they know precisely which containers need to be moved when.

The standards for service steps in the port would make it easier to determine when a container was behind schedule and expediting was needed to meet the level of service guaranteed.

Of course, the standards proposed by DCSA need to be tried out by ports, and the system needs to be tweaked based on what they find. But it’s a good start.

Sam Chambers November 16, 2021

DCSA publishes framework of just-in-time standards for main port call activities – Splash247

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Posted in Logistics, Ports, Production Operations, Supply Chains

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Trucking trade group to Gov. Newsom: Enforce law on port fees

Posted on November 8, 2021 by | Leave a comment

California law AB 45 prevents ports and terminals from charging detention and demurrage fees for containers not picked up or empties not delivered when the facilities prevent drivers from picking up or delivering.

Sometimes, the authorities or facilities institute sudden rules changes that prevent delivery of empty containers or prevent pickup of specific cargo because of hours or appointments. These rules are troublesome and cost time for drivers. And often the drivers or their firms are the ones paying the fees.

The contention is that the ports are by their own actions forcing expenses on the trucking firms and drivers.

The law, if enforced, would keep ports and terminals from charging these fees. But how to enforce the law is not altogether clear.

Clarissa Hawes, Senior Editor, Investigations and Enterprise Friday, Novvember 5, 2021

Trucking trade group to Gov. Newsom: Enforce law on port fees – FreightWaves

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Posted in Logistics, Ports, Supply Chains, Trucking

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Long Beach in tie-up with inland port and rail operator to move boxes faster

Posted on October 28, 2021 by | 1 comment

The Port of Long Beach has made a deal with a Utah site to transfer containers there, to relieve the congestion at the Long Beach terminal yards.

Moving containers by rail to Utah will clear space at the port and allow faster unloading there. The containers can then be picked up in Utah and forwarded to the points in the US.

This is a good strategy for the port. Many European ports, such as Rotterdam, Hamburg, and Antwerp, have done the same thing. In Europe, the containers tend to be moved by river barge or truck, but in the US, rail is the natural transportation mode to use.

It’s an idea that has been suggested years ago for the large ports on the West Coast US, but it took a crisis for it to happen.

I thought that long ago the ports would make such agreements with the Centerpoint complex in the Chicago area. Much of the container cargo moves to the Chicago area, for distribution to the rest of the United States. 8 years ago, Centerpoint had empty space available. Now it is completely built out, according to my informants.

Below the articles, I’ve provided my reference to our article of 2014, which suggested forging alliances with the Chicago warehouses.

By Ian Putzger in Toronto 28/10/2021

Long Beach in tie-up with inland port and rail operator to move boxes faster  – The Loadstar
Published Oct. 28, 2021
Sarah Zimmerman

Union Pacific steps up efforts to ease West Coast port congestion

Our paper of 2014:

Clott, Christopher B. and Bruce C. Hartman. (2014). “Supply Chain Integration, Landside Operations and Port Accessibility in Metropolitan Chicago”.  Journal of Transportation Geography (51) 131-139. DOI: 10.1016/j.jtrangeo.2015.12.005

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Posted in Logistics, Ports, Strategy, Supply Chains

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