The International Port Community Systems Association (IPCSA) has announced a further significant expansion of its global membership, welcoming the association’s first member from the United States – the Port of Los Angeles.
The Port of Los Angeles is the busiest port in North America, handling 9.3 million Twenty-Foot Equivalent Units (TEUs) in 2017. The Port joins IPCSA as is launches, in coordination with GE Transportation, the ‘Port Optimizer,’ a technology platform designed to provide advanced visibility and optimise planning throughout the supply chain.
“We are delighted to join IPCSA,” said Port of Los Angeles Executive Director Gene Seroka. “Our purpose in joining this elite global association is to enhance our efforts for a common understanding of how Port Community Systems operate and what they can deliver today and in the future. IPCSA provides that platform.
“IPCSA’s consultative status at the International Maritime Organization and the key role it plays in international standards meetings, including the World Customs Organization, ISO, UN/CEFACT and IATA, are important to us,” Seroka added.
A pilot version of the Port Optimizer was launched in 2017, and Los Angeles is now working with terminals to implement throughout the Port complex. Already the project has attracted international interest.
Richard Morton, secretary general of IPCSA, said: “We are delighted to welcome Los Angeles and to have our first member from the United States. This is another exciting expansion of the membership and geographical reach of IPCSA, which started out as a European organisation only seven years ago.
“We look forward to sharing and exchanging knowledge with the Port of Los Angeles, which has pioneered the Port Optimizer over the past two years. IPCSA provides a platform for members from around the world to share and exchange experience and best practice in the smooth flow of information, to enhance cargo flow and trade facilitation.
“As an association, IPCSA continues to go from strength to strength. We represent our members at the highest levels, including through our consultative status at the International Maritime Organization and Special Consultative Status at UN ECOSOC.”
