The Port of Los Angeles and Japan External Trade Organization Los Angeles Office (JETRO Los Angeles) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to promote cooperation in sustainability, environmental initiatives, and supply chain optimisation.
Port Executive Director Gene Seroka and JETRO Los Angeles Chief Executive Director Osamu Taki signed the agreement on 14 November.
“This agreement is built upon the goodwill and trust Japan and Los Angeles have achieved through our collaboration over many years, in many areas,” said Japan Consul General Sone.
“This is how ambitious initiatives get done at the working level on the field. Implementing new ideas, proving them to be viable, and bringing in the support to make it all happen. This is at the heart of the MoU.”
Under the MoU, the Port of LA will also share best practices and lessons learned related to its Port Optimizer digital community system in a bid to improve supply chain efficiency.
READ: Port of Los Angeles extends Port Optimizer coverage to all container terminals
Created in 2017, the Port Optimizer was the first port community system and single portal digital platform in the US focused specifically on enhancing supply chain performance through real-time, data-driven insights for cargo planning, forecasting, and tracking.
“The Port of Los Angeles and Japan share a long history of cooperation and mutual respect, dating back more than 60 years,” said Port of LA Executive Director Gene Seroka.
“This agreement with JETRO Los Angeles will allow our port to further advance innovation and cooperation around supply chain optimisation and sustainable technologies, as well as build stronger relationships with the government of Japan, its ports and cutting-edge Japanese companies.”
The port handled 678,429 TEU last month, the lowest figure in months.