L.A., Long Beach ports create supply chain working groups

The ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach have created new working groups aimed at increasing port efficiency and competitiveness.

The groups will focus on peak operations and terminal optimization and other ways to strengthen the San Pedro Bay port complex, port officials said in a press release.

Participants in the issue-specific working groups will be drawn from goods movement industry stakeholders, including shipping lines, cargo owners, labor, railroads, trucking interests and equipment owners.

The Peak Season 2015 working group will meet early this month to kick off a series of sessions that will drill down on the year's peak demands. The six other working groups are: Container Terminal Optimization, Chassis, Off-dock Solutions, Key Performance Indicators/Data Solutions, Intermodal Rail and Drayage.

The ports are striving to respond to rapid changes in global shipping, but also to address a shrinking market share caused by a labor contract impasse earlier this year with the longshoremen.