Dive Brief:
- The Georgia Ports Authority in August announced it had begun using a new terminal operating system from Navis to help optimize processes in its supply chain.
- The new operating system is being implemented at Garden City Terminal in the Port of Savannah to help optimize processes at the port by "connecting GPA’s multiple port terminals and inland rail terminals in one system," Navis said in a statement.
- The system is used by large container ports worldwide and “processes more than 40% of the global container volume annually,” according to the release.
Dive Insight:
The Georgia Ports Authority is looking to reduce data inefficiencies with its new terminal operating system. The Navis system “eliminates data silos, improves velocity across our terminals, and enables us to more easily integrate with our customers to provide the data and insights they need,” Bill Sutton, Chief Information Officer with Georgia Ports Authority said in a statement.
Inaccurate data can create stress within supply chains as multiple stakeholders are often involved in a single shipment, Eytan Buchman, Freightos CMO, said in an email.
“Every double entry, every phone call, and every spreadsheet introduces more room for error, slower turnaround time, and reduced optimization. Technology and improved integrations can’t prevent problems but it can help mitigate it,” CMO Eytan Buchman said.
Data gaps and inaccuracies have been in the spotlight of late due to a Federal Maritime Commission initiative to investigate constraints in the flow of ocean cargo. During the meetings, ocean carriers told the agency access to certain data could improve performance.
In April, for example, Violeta Chan, an Evergreen America employee focused on international business coordination, told the agency having access to container availability data can "allow assignees to pick up the container as soon as possible" and avoid long-dwelling containers.
The new operating system comes at a time of growth for the Savannah port.
Georgia Ports Authority Executive Director Griff Lynch in February said he plans to expand the port's capacity by 60%. "Our expansion is being matched by incredible growth in both warehouse space and workforce," Lynch said in a statement.
In July, the Port of Savannah said it handled 5.3 million TEUs — a historical record.
