Inland transport is a vital part of the operations at the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, two of the transportation industry’s behemoths.
Los Angeles is the busiest seaport in the Western Hemisphere and has earned the moniker “Port of America.” It covers more than 7,500 acres of land and water along 43 miles of waterfront. Long Beach, regarded as the premier gateway for Trans-Pacific trade, spans 3,200 acres of land and has 25 miles of waterfront.
Every square foot of both Southern California ports is needed and, arguably, more for the amount of trucks, cargo, equipment, and people flooding into both on a daily basis. Navigating the logistics of either port isn’t for the faint of heart, particularly when it comes to moving drayage freight inland or exporting it from the West Coast. When it comes to the Golden State, it’s not only about ensuring safe passage for cargo; it’s also about following eco-conscious guidelines to limit and reduce the supply chain’s carbon footprint.
This is why it is important to partner with a California-based, third-party logistics company that understands the inner workings of Southern California’s regulations and nuances. Companies such as Golden State Logistics utilize and embrace technology to optimize inland transport efficiency, enhance cargo security, ensure real-time tracking accuracy, and provide real-time communication with clients – and do it all while remaining eco-conscious.
Inland transport is essentially intermodal or transloading to move drayage cargo from seaports across the country. Basically, it is any move in the supply chain on land that delivers goods to their destination as quickly and efficiently as possible, be it by rail or road.
For the Southern California seaports, that is a massive amount of inland transport.
This past January, for example, the Port of Los Angeles handled 18% more twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) than a year ago. The only time more cargo was moved in January was in 2021. While the volume continues to increase, the shipping industry’s workforce isn’t growing at nearly the same pace.
How can the supply chain cope with the growing inland transport demand? Technology.
While the shipping world has become more complex and demanding, technology is not only leveling the playing field but also giving savvy logistics companies like Golden State Logistics a service edge.
Here are seven technologies listed below that GSL, located in California, has embraced to enhance inland transport efficiency:
According to the Import Distribution Center, the transportation industry is now the second-largest segment investing in the Internet of Things (IoT), having invested approximately $78 billion in technology since 2016. Fleet management and logistics have benefited greatly from it.
Transportation management systems (TMS) have become increasingly intuitive. An example is the MercuryGate TMS solution, which natively supports all modes and services: over-the-road, ocean, rail, less-than-truckload (LTL), parcel, and last mile. It simplifies shipping by having one system for everything from container to customer.
When it comes to inland transport, GSL is reducing problems that arise from manually-based systems by utilizing technology. Innovative developers continue to refine tools that promote real-time tracking, automated dispatching, digital documentation systems, and more through technology.
At Golden State Logistics, fleet connectivity technology allows for real-time GPS data and electronic documentation to improve transparency and efficiency. This includes geofencing for tracking chassis and tractors at terminals.
GSL leverages tracking and data information for greater efficiency and uncovers opportunities to reduce transportation expenses. It specializes in customizing service to each shipment’s needs, using cutting-edge technology to keep customers apprised of any changes. The flexibility and communication with customers allow for real-time adjustments that save time and money.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) continues to crack down on emissions in order to reduce the carbon footprint in the supply chain. At the busiest ports, such as LA and Long Beach, air quality is a concern.
The California Air Resources Board (CARB) has started phasing out diesel trucks. Under the Advanced Clean Fleets regulation, all drayage trucks must have zero emissions by 2035. The new requirements are estimated to reduce truck emissions at the Port of LA by 90%.
GSL has become an industry leader in sustainability:
The benefits of cloud storage for inland transport and the entire supply chain are many. It is one-stop shopping, providing a holistic view of the supply chain with detailed information and analytics. Using the cloud, logistics companies can predict market changes and disruptions and quickly respond. It also allows for better information exchange throughout the shipping process and allows for sharing of inventory, production schedules, and capacity. It makes the supply chain that much more efficient and resilient.
The reality is the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach are continuing to grow, as is the demand for a lessened carbon footprint within the entire supply chain.
Golden State Logistics is perfectly situated to ensure that your inland transport from LA and Long Beach avoids detention and demurrage fees and gets to customers across the country safely and on time. GSL is and will continue to be a leader in sustainability in the transportation industry, with a fleet of more than 500 private chassis and trucks that exceed California’s stringent Advanced Clean Fleets rules.
GSL has concentrated service on the Southern California seaports for more than 25 years and uses the latest technology to increase efficiency on all levels.
Get in touch with GSL today.
While the shipping world has become more complex and demanding, technology is not only leveling the playing field but also giving savvy logistics companies like Golden State Logistics a service edge.
Partnering with a California-based trucking company such as Golden State Logistics can help shippers leverage their California operations while also expanding effectively beyond state borders.
