During the early days of the pandemic, the marine cargo–-handling industry was faced with uncertainty about the methods of disease transmission, delayed and conflicting information from federal and local authorities regarding the essential status of the marine cargo handling industry, and shortages of necessary sanitizing supplies and personal protection equipment (PPE). While it was quickly ascertained that the ports must remain open and continue to handle cargo, doing that required enhanced stakeholder consultation and collaboration at a time when our industry’s traditional method of communication — face-to-face meetings — was no longer viable.
Thus, the earliest lesson learned was that even though there is no virtual substitute for the rank-and-file labor that handles marine cargo, many ancillary functions attendant with cargo handling could be performed remotely. Concurrent with the effort to ensure that the workplace had appropriate PPE, equipment could be appropriately sanitized, and social distancing measures were adopted, back office functions had to be adapted to remote work. Since this was not as simple as just providing laptops or VPN access, a conscious effort had to be made to open new lines and methods of communication with employees, customers, and other port partners.
Thereafter, the importance of the communication of timely and accurate information about cargo became even more significant. In an environment where few industry stakeholders have resources to spare, allowing them to work efficiently through enhanced cargo information portals like the Terminal Information Portal System (TIPS) deployed in the Port of New York and New Jersey was essential. We have seen how TIPS hastens terminal visits and transactions by providing a one-stop portal for general information regarding port-wide matters as well as terminal-specific announcements regarding special conditions or changed operating hours. TIPS also reduces unnecessary terminal visits. What we have learned since the pandemic is that port stakeholders want more cargo-related information through platforms like TIPS and that there is also a need to streamline and re-imagine cargo documentation flows. In 2021, when we are likely to see continued growth in cargo volumes, we are also likely to see enhancements to portals like TIPS to facilitate the movement of this cargo.