The ability to move goods in a global supply chain efficiently and profitably, involves the collaboration of multiple parties through key operational hubs. In ocean transportation, the seaport, including the port community and ecosystem of independent logistics organizations that work with the seaport, play a vital role in global logistics performance. This partnership is a critical, but often overlooked factor, when analyzing ocean-based supply chain performance. Over the last year, seaports and the port communities are expected to take on a greater role in the efficient, safe, and secure movement of goods as a result of heightened customer visibility and collaboration expectations and new regulatory requirements fueling those expectations. When these key elements are not successfully addressed, they can have a large impact on the overall logistics process and bottom line performance.
Most seaports have a port community system (PCS) that provides nautical services, cargo handling, and terminal operations capabilities. These services tie together the multiple parties involved in the activities associated within the port facilities. However, the focus on global supply chain security and performance has increased the demand for port communities to expand their focus beyond the port itself. Port communities are now expected to enable the supply chain processes up and downstream of the port. Shippers, consignees, and logistics service providers (LSPs) that may never physically enter the seaport itself have expectations they will be provided with the information, services, and visibility to help them coordinate the required actions of all supply chain partners involved. In addition, the connection to the inland parties through “extended gateways” via software becomes even more important to reduce the port dwell time and limit the environmental impact associated with multimodal transport.