The US Department of Transportation announced on March 15 the launch of a major supply chain initiative, Freight Logistics Optimization Works (FLOW), intended to help speed up delivery times and reduce consumer costs.<\/p>\n
FLOW is an information-sharing initiative to pilot freight information exchange between parts of the goods movement supply chain. It includes 18 initial participants, including private businesses, trucking, warehousing and logistics companies, ports and more \u2014 with the expectation that more partners will be added going forward.<\/p>\n
The Georgia Ports Authority is one participant in FLOW. The port\u2019s Executive Director, Griff Lynch, said in a statement, \u201cGreater transparency \u2013 knowing where a vessel or a container is at every stage of transit \u2013 would provide the predictability cargo owners and logistics providers need to optimize the use of resources. Through better communication, aspects of the supply chain such as timing on production, staffing, trucks and chassis, and warehouse space can be fine-tuned for greater efficiency and velocity.\u201d<\/p>\n
Participants also include the Port of Los Angeles, the Port of Long Beach and Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC).<\/p>\n
\u201cWe strongly believe that a common and interoperable digital infrastructure throughout the container shipping industry is a critical step to make supply chains more efficient, secure and resilient, said Andr\u00e9 Simha, Chief Digital & Information Officer at MSC. \u201cThere is no doubt that this initiative will strengthen the foundation for the seamless, end-to-end exchange of information we all need to keep global trade moving today \u2013 and tomorrow.\u201d<\/p>\n