Three West Coast Ports Integrated into DOT’s Supply Chain Data Platform

The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has announced the addition of three significant West Coast ports to its data-sharing supply chain platform. On August 13, it was confirmed that the Ports of Oakland, Seattle, and Tacoma are now part of the Freight Logistics Optimization Works (FLOW) network. This expansion joins the Port of Los Angeles and the Port of Long Beach, completing the representation of the five largest shipping hubs on the West Coast.

The FLOW initiative, launched in 2022 in response to the disruptions caused by the pandemic, aims to collect and aggregate purchase order information from importers, along with data from ocean carriers, ports, terminals, and railways. This comprehensive data-sharing approach is designed to provide stakeholders in the supply chain with a real-time overview of global logistics networks.

U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg remarked, "The membership of FLOW now includes the five largest container ports on the West Coast, which will enable more informed decision-making across America’s supply chains. This initiative is crucial for improving efficiency and ultimately helping to lower costs for consumers.”

The combined ports of Oakland, Seattle, Tacoma, Los Angeles, and Long Beach account for 95% of all inbound container volume to the West Coast. With their inclusion in the FLOW initiative, the DOT anticipates that carriers, shippers, and ports will be better equipped to "plan for and predict capacity needs," effectively mitigating potential bottlenecks in the logistics chain.