Port of New York and New Jersey

Container volume in the Port of New York and New Jersey increased significantly last year with organic growth, added vessel services, and the diverted West Coast freight. This prosperity, and other factors, can bring periodic challenges to the port, but by continuing to work together to implement the initiatives of the Council on Port Performance (CPP), we can remain the preeminent East Coast port even as we continue to grow. Port users can help themselves and the entire port community by following the recommendations below.

Preparing for your pick-up/ delivery:

Sign up for PortNYNJAlerts at http://www.paalerts.com/default_Port.aspx to receive the latest information about terminal and roadway conditions, closures, and more;
Avoid being sent to Driver Assistance (Trouble Window) by:

Verifying container availability before dispatching a driver to the port;
Ensure that all charges have been paid and releases are in place;
Confirm export receiving cut off times; and
Confirm locations and restrictions for empty container returns;

All this can be done by registering free of charge for access to the Terminal Information Portal System (TIPS); a single portal for all six container terminals at www.porttruckpass.com;

Download and familiarize yourself with the Truckers’ Resource Guidebook http://www.panynj.gov/port/pdf/CPP-2015-Trucker-Guidebook-ENG.pdf to make pick up quicker and more efficient;
Verify chassis availability before dispatching a driver to the port. You can sign up to receive daily emails from the chassis providers;
Where possible, don’t wait for the last free day to pick up containers;
Evaluate opportunities to minimize the morning crush on the gates (i.e. pre-pull containers, consider later appointments at warehouses and distribution centers, etc.); and
Utilize the 511 system in each state you are operating (i.e. NJ - http://www.511nj.org/default.aspx) to get real time traffic and travel information about accidents, incidents, construction and unusual delays on the Interstates, State highways, bridge and tunnel crossings.

At and around the terminals:

Overnight parking on marine terminal highways and local roadways around the terminal is prohibited and will be enforced;
Queuing before 5:00 am is prohibited;
Follow all traffic laws (i.e. do not cross double yellow or drive/queue on wrong side of road);
Where possible, minimize space between trucks in queue;
Observe Variable Message Signs (VMS) for travel time information and consider alternate routes whenever possible;
Utilize extended hours and weekend gates, when available;
RFID tags must be mounted on the driver’s side view mirror, not held out the window or up to the windshield (only one RFID tag per VIN permitted); and
For the safety of all, always follow the direction of Terminal Security and all law enforcement officials.

Observance of the above measures will help increase efficiency and productivity for the entire port community. We thank you in advance for your cooperation.

October 16, 2015

GCT Bayonne's Rich Ceci, Vice President, Information Technology, announced at the annual New York-New Jersey Port Industry Day that the terminal will launch a pilot of an appointment system either "later this year or early next year."

The vehicle for New York-New Jersey's appointment system will be the next phase of the Terminal Information Portal System (TIPS), a new online port community system that was launched in September. TIPS, which already has 200 registered users, allows truckers, shippers and other service providers to check container availability, export booking status, and other information before drayage drivers are dispatched to terminals. TIPS will soon provide interactive functionality for empty container return locations and vessel schedules too. Click here to reach a secure login at the PortTruckPass website.

Ceci, a member of the Gate Operations Implementation Team for the Council on Port Performance, said appointments aim to improve turn times by equalizing cargo demand and enable terminals to more efficiently handle "bunching" of cargo.

Ceci noted that the port's terminals have been advancing this project collaboratively. "It's not something we're doing by ourselves. We're working together on this."

A brief Web-based demonstration of TIPS is scheduled for Wednesday, October 21st at 1:00 PM EST. To RSVP and receive login information, please contact Inga Berryman at iberryman@panynj.gov with your name, affiliation and desired session.

Below are the presentations from Port Industry:

The Arrival of Mega Cargo Ships and the Effect on Port Operations

Customer Care Implementation Team

Equipment Implementation Team

Rail Implementation Team

Gate Operations Implementation Team

Check Availability of Your Cargo With a Few Easy Clicks

The Terminal Information Portal System (TIPS), available to all truckers by registering at www.porttruckpass.com, lets you create container watch lists and provides information from all six container terminals, including status notifications information on row closures, container return locations, vessel schedules (cutoffs, first available day), extended hours and holiday schedules.

The first system of its kind in the United States, TIPS is a central web portal that enables users to check container availability and export booking status.

TIPS functionality is available to truckers for free.

Click here to reach a secure login at the PortTruckPass website.

Click here to see a list of FAQs for the TIPS system.

Also, Please move theis announcement : September 1, 2015

Port of New York and New Jersey launches the Terminal Information Portal System to the CPP archive page:

http://www.panynj.gov/port/council-on-port-performance-archives.html

September 1, 2015

Port of New York and New Jersey launches the Terminal Information Portal System

The Port of New York and New Jersey's Council on Port Performance (CPP) announced that the new Terminal Information Portal System (TIPS) launched on Tuesday, September 1, at 12:01 a.m.

The first system of its kind in the United States, TIPS is a central web portal that enables users to check container availability and export booking status as well as to obtain information on terminal-specific news such as extended hours, holiday schedules or row closures at all six of the port's container terminals. Users can also use the system to obtain information on empty container return locations and vessel schedules.

TIPS is provided by Sustainable Terminal Services, Inc. (STS), a nonprofit corporation whose members include five of the six marine terminals at the Port of New York and New Jersey. STS developed TIPS in response to a Tier One recommendation of the Port Performance Task Force which led to the current Council on Port Performance. The recommendation called for a port-wide community information system that would give port users a central web platform from which they could access a variety of information to streamline their business processes. Previously, STS developed and implemented the RFID-based truck identification system designed to enhance security and the environmental quality of the port area.

TIPS functionality is available to truckers, beneficial cargo owners, and other service providers.

Click here to reach a secure login at the PortTruckPass website.

Click here to see a list of FAQs for the TIPS system.

While TIPS will eventually provide interactive functionality for empty container return locations and vessel schedules, STS wanted to deliver this central system in advance of the peak shipping season to assist port users.

"Effective information management is critical to an efficient intermodal supply chain. TIPS will help optimize logistics planning and information sharing in the port," said Molly Campbell, Port Department Director for The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey and Chair of the CPP.

While TIPS is user friendly and very intuitive, a series of brief Web-based demonstrations has been scheduled for all port users who may be interested. These demos will be held on Thursday, September 3rd at 11 AM and 1 PM; on Tuesday, September 8th at 1 PM; and on Tuesday, September 15th at 1 PM. All times are Eastern Standard Time (EST). To RSVP and receive login information, please contact Inga Berryman at iberryman@panynj.gov with your name, affiliation, and desired session.

August 31, 2015

Port of New York and New Jersey's Council on Port Performance Launches the Terminal Information Portal System

The Port of New York and New Jersey's Council on Port Performance (CPP) announced today that the Terminal Information Portal System (TIPS) will be launched on Tuesday, September 1, 2015 at 12:01 AM. TIPS is a central web portal that enables users to check container availability and export booking status as well as to obtain information on terminal-specific news such as extended hours, holiday schedules or row closures at all six of the port's container terminals. The user will also be able to easily link to terminal websites from this central web portal to obtain information on empty container return locations and vessel schedules.

TIPS is a new service provided by Sustainable Terminal Services, Inc. (STS), a nonprofit corporation whose members are five major container terminal operators in the Port of New York and New Jersey. TIPS was developed in response to a Tier One recommendation of the Port Performance Task Force to develop a Port Community System to give port users a central website to access a variety of information that will enable them to streamline their business processes. STS has previously developed and implemented the RFID-based truck identification system designed to enhance security and the environmental quality of the port area. The TIPS functionality is available to truckers, beneficial cargo owners and other service providers through a secure login at the PortTruckPass website (www.porttruckpass.com). While TIPS will eventually provide interactive functionality for empty container return locations and vessel schedules, STS wanted to deliver this central system in advance of the peak shipping season to assist port users.

Through TIPS, users will also be able to create watch lists of import containers they are expecting at any of the six container terminals in the port and receive updates via email when the status of these containers changes or a hold is placed or released on containers. Jeff Bader, President of the Association of Bi-State Motor Carriers and member of the Council said "the consolidation of information in a single website will help simplify work for truck dispatchers and availability clerks."

"From a terminal operator" perspective providing a tool that facilitates the receipt and delivery of containers and helps the port's customers, as well as their customers and service providers better utilize their resources is a plus," said John Atkins, President, GCT USA, STS Chairman of the Board and Chair of the CPP Gate Operations Implementation Team.

During the design and development of TIPS, the system was demonstrated to several stakeholder groups to solicit feedback. John Nardi, President of New York Shipping Association and Vice Chair of the CPP expressed his gratitude to the STS, and council members who worked to achieve this critical milestone. "The value of the port community working collaboratively cannot be overstated."

While TIPS is user friendly and very intuitive, a series of brief Web-based demonstrations has been scheduled for all port users that may be interested. These demos will be held on Thursday, September 3rd at 11:00 AM and 1:00 PM; Tuesday, September 8th at 1:00 PM and Tuesday, September 15th at 1:00 PM. All times are Eastern Standard Time (EST). To RSVP and receive login information, please contact Inga Berryman at iberryman@panynj.gov with your name, affiliation and desired session.

CONTACT:
Bethann Rooney
212-435-4215

June 28, 2015

After extensive coordination with the trucking community, terminal operators and other service providers, the Customer Care Implementation Team of the Council on Port Performance has completed the development of a Truckers' Resource Guidebook. The Guidebook, which was one of the 23 recommendations of the Port Performance Task Force, contains important information on how to navigate through the Port of NY & NJ's six marine terminals, including:

important phone numbers,
a list of Do's and Don'ts,
Frequently Asked Questions,
terminal maps and,
how to help ensure a successful visit to a terminal.

You can download the Truckers' Resource Guide by visiting:

Council on Port Performance Trucker Guidebook

Please share this link with your drivers, colleagues, and customers to ensure the greatest distribution.

April 10, 2015

The strengthening economy, re-routed cargo from the West Coast, shifting trade routes and business trends have all contributed to a greater than 10 percent increase in overall cargo volumes in the Port of New York and New Jersey over the past two months. Our terminals have received more than a dozen “extra loaders” ocean carriers have employed to handle additional volume. While we are actively working on solutions, at this time the system is struggling to absorb such a significant surge in cargo volume and the changing logistics patterns that have resulted from the additional volume. All of these factors combined have caused sporadic delays over the past several weeks. We project it to be several more weeks before activity in the port normalizes.

The Council on Port Performance (CPP) continues to lead the effort to improve long-term performance, efficiency and reliability in the port.

Accomplishments include:

The first ever coordinated Winter Weather Plan was prepared and implemented and as a result this winter took less of a toll on port operations and our customers;
Coordination and communication have been drastically improved through greater transparency and more information sharing (CPP emails, eAlerts, updates on Twitter, Facebook a
nd LinkedIn);
Publication of a consolidated list of customer service contacts and tips on how to help your own business;
The extension of operating hours when possible (i.e. evenings, Saturdays, ILA holidays);
Ninety-six percent of requested new longshoremen are currently working; and,
Alignment of Truck Service Center hours of operations with terminals on federal holidays.
Improvements on the horizon are:
An updated traffic management plan;
A new Chassis Management System in which all chassis will be interoperable is expected by July 1, 2015;
Increased use of block stowage for certain rail cargo;
Implementation of a port community system known as Terminal Information Portal System (TIPS) where interested parties will be able to obtain information on terminal news (i.e.
extended hours, row closures, etc.) container availability, booking status, empty containers, and vessel schedules at all of the terminals in a single website; and,
A Trucker Guidebook is currently in draft format and under review and testing with several trucking companies. The book will be released to the entire port community by July 1, 2015.

The existing challenges are a direct result of systemic changes and the dynamic nature of the shipping industry. Directing blame only prevents us from moving forward. Challenges either lead to additional problems or stimulate solutions. Cooperation through the CPP has already established the means to address previous port-wide issues. We built the foundation for problem solving with the knowledge that continuous improvements are necessary to cope with new industry challenges. These are all complex issues that take time to work through and are not as simple as just extending the hours or hiring more people. As with anything worth doing - it takes time and the coordination of many partners to get it right.

March 30, 2015

We continue to do our best to manage high traffic volumes at the Port of NY & NJ. You are encouraged to take the following steps to facilitate your business:

a. sign up for PortNYNJAlerts at http://www.paalerts.com/default_Port.aspx to receive the latest information about terminal and roadway conditions, closures and more;

b. sign up for terminal specific email alerts and daily updates;

c. utilize extended hours and Saturday gates, when available;

d. evaluate opportunities to minimize the morning crush on the gates (i.e. pre-pull containers, consider later appointments at warehouses and distribution centers, etc);

e. pick up containers as promptly as possible; don't wait for the last free day to pick up containers;

f. verify chassis availability before dispatching a driver to the port;

g. avoid being sent to Driver Assistance (Trouble Window) or being turned away completely by:

verifying container availability before dispatching a driver to the port;
ensuring that all charges have been paid and releases are in place;
confirming export receiving cut off times by checking the terminal websites;
checking terminal websites to confirm locations and restrictions for empty container returns;

h. follow the direction of Port Authority Police. Their directives promote safety for one and all.

Your observance of the above measures will increase efficiencies for everyone involved with the port. The port community thanks you in advance for doing so. Please share this message with your colleagues, customers and service providers.

February 1, 2015

All Marine Terminals in the Port of New York and New Jersey will have a delayed opening at 10:00 AM on Monday, February 2nd. There is a great deal of uncertainty with this particular storm so it is subject to change. An update will be provided after 6:00 AM. In order to facilitate snow removal and salting operations, there will be no truck queuing permitted until after 9:30 AM. As a reminder, in order to keep traffic flowing on the roadways and for the safety of everyone, there will be no queuing on the public roadways. Truckers should plan accordingly and plan to stagger their arrival after 10:00 AM to help limit potential congestion.

January 26, 2015

As the premier East Coast port of North America, the Council on Port Performance recognizes that providing up-to-date information and timely communications are essential tools to ensuring your cargo gets to market quickly in today's competitive global environment. To best serve your company, and assist you in conducting optimal business, we are supplying you with key customer service contacts for the Port of New York and New Jersey's six terminal operators and its Customs Examination Sites in one easy-to-use document.

For additional information, please visit www.portnynj.com or feel free to contact The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey's customer relations team:

Lucy Ambrosino: lambrosi@panynj.gov, telephone 212-435-4259
Robert LaMura: rlamura@panynj.gov, telephone 212-435-4247
Amanda Valdes: avaldes@panynj.gov, telephone 212-435-7841

The Council on Port Performance looks forward to a successful year ahead, and as always, we welcome your feedback or questions.

January 5, 2015

In order to assist with the heavy import delivery demands following the holidays, several terminals are adjusting their gate cut-offs for the week on January 5. Please note the hours for each terminal below and refer to their individual websites for additional information:

APM Terminals — Monday, January 5, through Wednesday, January 7 hours are extended to 6 PM. Reefer cut-off will remain the same (3:30 PM);
GCT Bayonne (Global) — All moves including double moves and reefers are extended to 4 PM every day this week;
GCT New York (NYCT) — Daily until 4 PM (3:30 PM for double moves and reefers);
Maher Terminals — (Main Terminal, Empty and Chassis Depots) - open daily until 7 PM;
PNCT — Extended to 6 PM all week;
RHCT — Open daily until 4 PM.

Please advise your drivers to stagger their arrival in the mornings particularly in the early part of the week and utilize the extended hours where available in order to help minimize potential congestion.

December 16, 2014

As promised in the Port of New York and New Jersey Winter Plan, the Terminal Operators and service providers met to review the anticipated activity level for Christmas week. At this time, all terminals expect light to moderate vessel activity and are forecasting average yard volumes. In light of this, as well as, anticipated truck power and warehouse availability, the terminals do not currently foresee extending their hours of operations during Christmas week (12/21-12/27). All truck gates will be closed on both Christmas Eve and Christmas day so you are encouraged to plan accordingly. The marine terminal gates will be open for full delivery and receipt of cargo on Friday, December 26. We strongly encourage you to maximize activity on Friday in order to help minimize potential congestion early the following week. We will take another look at the forecast and advise of any changes to the schedule on Friday, December 19.

November 21, 2014

"The Council on Port Performance (CPP) Equipment Implementation Team, whose members consist of The Port Authority of NY&NJ, Chassis Leasing Companies, Marine Terminals, International Longshoremen's Association, Labor Associations, Trucker Associations, and Ocean Carriers, agreed on November 20th to implement a port-wide chassis pool in the Port of New York and New Jersey (PONYNJ)," said John Nardi, President of New York Shipping Association who is serving as the Chairman of the Implementation Team.

The team has selected the market pool model as the best option for efficient chassis provisioning in the Port of New York and New Jersey. A market pool, which is a type of gray chassis pool, can best be defined as various chassis providers contributing their chassis into one large fleet in the PONYNJ. All chassis would have the same mark and the pool would be managed at arm's length by a third party under contract to a Pool Board. The Pool Board would be made up of representatives from each of the chassis contributors and others representing key supply chain stakeholders in the port. Users would have access by establishing a commercial contract with an individual chassis contributor. The commercial contract is not part of the market pool's oversight or management but a market based competitive activity. Chassis contributors may offer unique products and services within private pools but this would be outside of the market pool at non-common locations in the New York/New Jersey region. This would allow for chassis contributors to compete for users on a variety of service dimensions while at the same time the market pool would offer operational efficiencies with full interoperability at all the port terminals throughout the port. Tom Adamski, from First Coast Logistics and the New Jersey Motor Truck Association's representative on the Council and Implementation Team said that, "the free interchange of equipment is invaluable for truckers and improved port efficiency."

During the coming weeks, port stakeholders will draft a Request for Proposal for a Pool Manager detailing the qualifications and responsibilities to be considered. The RFP will be available in early December. If a suitable manager is identified, the market pool can be implemented by early 2nd quarter 2015.

Phil Connors, Executive Vice President of Flexi-Van Leasing and a member of both the CPP and the Equipment Implementation Team, said he was very pleased to see the progress made within the team given the complexity of the chassis pool issue. "The discussions have been open, candid and most importantly collaborative throughout the process," Connors said. "The Team believes this is a very positive step for the continued success of the Port of New York and New Jersey," he added.

Richard M. Larrabee, Port Department Director for The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey and Chair of the CPP said that implementing a Chassis Management System was a Tier One recommendation of the Port Performance Task Force and arguably the most critical one. "Several council members and other stakeholders worked tirelessly to get us to this critical milestone. The value of the CPP working in a collaborative advisory capacity cannot be overstated."

November 4, 2014

Within the past 6-8 weeks all four of the Council on Port Performance (CPP) Implementation Teams met and began working on the 23 recommendations and associated deliverables that came out of the PPTF Final Report. These are all complex issues and as with anything worth doing - it takes time to get it right. The teams are working diligently to address the highest priorities, which are also some of the more challenging issues to tackle. Following is a breakdown of the groups and a quick overview of their work:

Equipment: John Nardi is serving as Chairman of the Equipment Implementation Team. The participants of this team are comprised of Leasing Companies, Terminal Operators, The Port Authority, Trucker Associations, Labor, Ocean Carriers, Shippers, and Labor Associations. The group has narrowed down the pool operating models to two options. Discussions are also under way concerning the pool manager options. The group is working together in a collaborative manner and expects to conclude these two major decisions by the end of the year.
Rail: The Rail Implementation Team (RIT) met recently and established guidelines for the group and is nominating a Chair and Vice Chair. The RIT discussed and prioritized the four recommendations from the PPTF Report that have been assigned to them. A group of SMEs (Subject Matter Experts) in the area of Block Stowage will be enlisted for the next meeting.
Gate Operations: This team's initial focus is on the development of a Port Community System; a "one-stop shopping" community website, where information on all the terminals will be available in a single website. The team will meet again on November 19 to develop the scope and functional requirements of the system.
Customer Care: After prioritizing the eight recommendations that are assigned to their team, the Customer Care Team, chaired by Lori Smith of Johnson & Johnson Sales and Logistics Company, LLC. , went to work creating a trucker guidebook for the port. The table of contents has been developed and SME's have been invited to join the next meeting with the goal of finalizing the document by first quarter 2015. Customer Care has also begun work on the Key Performance Indicators.

While we work to address these challenges in the Port of New York and New Jersey, there has been a great deal of attention focused on the causes of congestion, not only here, but nationwide and abroad. Recently the Federal Maritime Commission, in response to concerns voiced by some in the intermodal trucking community, commenced a series of regional public forums on the subject of port congestion. Council on Port Performance leadership and members participated in the discussion in Baltimore, Maryland last month. They spoke of the broad coalition of port stakeholders who produced the Port Performance Task Force report and of the formation of the Council on Port Performance to oversee implementation of the 23 recommendations. They spoke to the particular problems relating to chassis management and the troubles faced by the trucking community and the drivers as well as the day-to-day challenges on the terminals.

The FMC has limited jurisdiction, and there was the general recognition that the solutions were to be found in the individual ports and with maximum stakeholder involvement. There also seemed to be consensus that while there are many contributing factors to port congestion, chassis management and the difficulties in the trucking community were universal issues among US ports. So we are not alone with these issues being felt nationwide, but we are clearly ahead of the curve in addressing them.

Port Industry Day in the Port of New York and New Jersey was another forum where the CPP was a focal point. Held on Tuesday, October 7, 2014 at 4 World Trade Center, New York City, the day's agenda was focused on A Stronger Region...A Stronger Port. The speakers and presentations focused squarely on the issues of capacity, the Panama Canal, cargo handling, the environment, logistics, port congestion, and partnerships in Port Performance.

The CPP continues to work collaboratively for collective change and to stay ahead, identifying solutions sooner rather than later. Thank you for your continued interest and involvement. Keep up the good work!

June 24, 2014

In the weeks since the release of the Port Performance Task Force (PPTF) final report on June 24, 2014, over 500 port stakeholders have participated in a series of Town Hall meetings or a webinar to discuss the reports' 23 recommendations to increase performance, measurement, communication, and transparency. Members of the port community have consistently been encouraged by the collaboration that has taken place and the plans for the future, but all agree that swift action is needed to make the port more efficient and reliable.

The Port Performance Task Force has officially completed the planning work that it set out to accomplish and has been disbanded. The process of carrying out the recommendations will be overseen by the new Council on Port Performance (CPP). A governance structure for the Council has been established with members of the Task Force serving as the initial Council members. The Council will be supported by a series of Implementation Teams focused on Equipment, Gate Operations, ExpressRail, and Customer Care. There will also be a standing committee on Government and Community Outreach. Implementation teams will meet in August to establish a logical sequence to tackle the recommendations, timelines, and deliverables. For those interested in helping to enact the recommendations by serving as a subject matter expert on an Implementation Team, please email Beth Rooney at berooney@panynj.gov and indicate the project(s) you are interested in working on.