The Port of Long Beach is a leading global port, but this year, some political challenges and trade conflicts with China, impacted the port's cargo volumes. At the State of the Port conference last week, however, port leadership had a positive outlook on activity in 2020 and outlined how it plans to remain ahead of competition both at home and internationally. The key, according to Mario Cordero, executive director at the Port of Long Beach, is to focus on efficiency and advancement.

"The Port of Long Beach's productivity is extremely high," Cordero said in his speech at the event. "Our crane operators able to lift two 40-foot containers at once. The port is able to use APIs, a new technology that is making the truck appointment system state-of-the-art. The smart system ties the terminals data directly to the trucking company's computer. This allows for the automatic creation of truck appointments at LBTC."

The port is looking to boost efficiency everywhere to create better opportunities with clients. "Turn times for trucks have improved throughout the port complex. Appointments are saving time, and the port's geo-stamp system allows cargo owners and trucking companies to monitor and analyze turn-time data on an ongoing basis," says Cordero.