The Port of Los Angeles, the biggest port in the US, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Port Authority of Nagoya, Japan, to further cooperate on operational efficiency and environmental sustainability.
In a statement, the Port of Los Angeles said the MoU will expand on the already strong relationship between the two ports and will outline opportunities for formal cooperation.
This will include the exchange of information on port community systems and end-to-end supply chain information sharing platforms.
Gene Seroka, Executive Director, Port of Los Angeles, described cooperation among ports as “essential” to ensuring that the global supply chain remains efficient and environmentally sustainable.
“Furthering our collaboration on these priorities with the Port of Nagoya is a natural next step, given our long-term sister port relationship and mutual interest in advancing port innovations and technology,” Seroka said.
A priority will be the development of the Port Optimizer. the digital data platform used at the Port of Los Angeles to improve systems efficiency and supply chain information sharing.
Another point of interest will be the Port Nagoya’s centralised terminal operation and queuing gate systems, both of which have helped turn Nagoya into one of the most productive and efficient in Japan.
“The Port of Los Angeles is undertaking visionary projects such as the development of the Port Optimizer and testing near-zero and zero-emissions heavy duty trucks,” said Hideaki Ohmura, President of Nagoya Port Authority.
“This agreement will increase our collaboration and bring further developments in efficiencies and environmental sustainability.”
There will also be discussions around development and deployment of zero-emission vehicles and equipment and other ventures to connect science, industry and start-ups.
Environmental projects in the MoU include Nagoya’s incentive system for LNG-fueled vessels and Los Angeles’ project to test hydrogen fuel-cells in heavy-duty drayage trucks and container handling equipment, which it is running with Toyota Motor North America.
