New FMC Effort to Examine Data Issues in Cargo Movement
A new effort by the Federal Maritime Commission will examine how “data constraints” are impeding ocean cargo flow and slowing U.S. supply chains, the FMC announced Nov. 15. The effort, which Commissioner Carl Bentzel will lead, will eventually propose recommendations for “common data standards” used by the international shipping supply chains as well as new policies that could “streamline information sharing,” the FMC said.
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The commission said Bentzel will conduct research and interviews and hold public meetings with ocean carriers, marine terminal operators, truckers, railroads and government agencies to explore how to help improve data use. The FMC said it hopes it gains “insight about data definitions, classification, and recommendations for improving interoperability of data records involving container shipping.”
Bentzel is expected to hold the first public meeting for this effort in December and present “initial findings” next spring. “Given the immense national economic impact and our nation’s reliance on ocean shipping, sustained surges in cargo volumes and other operational impacts caused by COVID-19, it is clear to me that we need to develop a stronger system of information for the shipping public,” Bentzel said. “Our port gateway corridors are limited by physical constraints and the best options for efficiencies lie with the greater utilization of information technologies and coordination between the different modes in the supply chain.”