The Port of Los Angeles and Nagoya Port Authority in Japan, have signed a new cooperative agreement for collaboration on operational efficiency and environmental sustainability.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) builds on more than 60 years of collaboration between the two ports and will further enhance cooperation and exchange of information on projects focused on operational efficiency and environmental sustainability. 

“International cooperation among ports is essential to assuring that our global supply chain and ports of entry are the most efficient and environmentally sustainable as possible,” said Gene Seroka, executive director of the Port of Los Angeles.

“Furthering our collaboration on these priorities with the Port of Nagoya is a natural next step, given our long-term sister port relationship and mutual interest in advancing port innovations and technology,” he added.

“This agreement will increase our collaboration and bring further developments in efficiencies and environmental sustainability,” said Hideaki Ohmura, president, Nagoya Port Authority and governor of Aichi Prefecture.

MoU details

The MOU outlines more formal cooperation and exchange of information on port community systems and end-to-end supply chain information sharing platforms; development and deployment of zero-emission vehicles and equipment; and other activities connecting science, industry and start-ups that could contribute to both ports’ efficiency and environmental priorities.

Operational efficiency projects include the development of port community systems like the Port Optimizer, the digital data platform used at the Port of Los Angeles to improve systems efficiency and supply chain information sharing.

There will also be a centralized terminal operating system and centralized queuing gate process at the Port of Nagoya’s, both of which have helped make the port one of the most productive and efficient in Japan.

Environmental sustainability projects highlighted in the MOU include Nagoya’s innovative incentive system for LNG-fueled and LNG-bunkering vessels, and the Port of Los Angeles’ current demonstration project with Toyota Motor North America that is testing hydrogen fuel-cell electric heavy-duty drayage trucks and container handling equipment.

The Los Angeles and Nagoya Sister City Affiliation began as a part of President Eisenhower’s Citizens’ International Exchange Program in 1959.