Port of Oakland introduces cutting-edge online gateway technology to its cargo operations

Authorities at the Port of Oakland heralded the coming of “a one-stop, online gateway” this morning, ushering in what they believe to be the first-ever digitized operational platform.

Called, “The Oakland Portal,” it provides a single point of entry to seaport operations.

According to Port of Oakland Maritime Director John Driscoll, this is a shipper-driven initiative.

“We hope that the Oakland Portal will meet the needs of our stakeholders to improve efficiency and the flow of information,” he said in an interview. “If we are successful, it could be something other ports replicate.”

Indeed, Oakland authorities maintain that ports nationwide are contemplating digital platforms.  The online portals are a response to supply chain operators who express challenges about the difficulty of tracking their containerized cargo door-to-door.

Driscoll added that the port is providing a comprehensive digital view of container vessels, cargo and terminal information “all in one place on the computer…no more clicking through multiple websites.”

The Oakland Portal aggregates shipping information from every marine terminal in a harbor.  Terminals are where ships, trucks and trains converge to transport the world’s containerized trade.  The port said the Oakland Portal consolidates information from Oakland’s four active marine terminals. 

The data includes:

• Vessel schedules; 

• Cargo status

• Live camera views of Port thoroughfares.

The features are available to all users, the port said.  Additional specialized functions such as paying terminal fees, cargo status updates, and trucker appointments – are available with registration and a login.

The platform gives shippers access to the port’s marine terminals all in a single location. A future iteration would incorporate real-time performance metrics and dashboards customized for the various Portal users such as motor carriers and cargo owners, the port said.

Furthermore, Oakland authorities expect to provide these additional upgrades in early 2019.

Port spokesmen added that supply chain operators would better manage trade flow with the portal in place. 

For example, cargo owners would know with greater precision when to expect merchandise. Trucking companies would know exactly when and where to dispatch drivers for container pick-up. 

New Jersey-based logistics software provider Advent Intermodal Solutions LLC created the Oakland Portal as an extension of its customer-based eModal system.  The port’s four marine terminals all use the system for customer interface.  The portal takes information from each terminal to provide a universal port view.