Port of Los Angeles partners with Port of Antwerp to host simultaneous int'l "Hackathon"

In an effort to spur technology-based innovation in the port and maritime environment, the Port of Los Angeles and Port of Antwerp in Belgium  are hosting an international “Hackathon.” The technology competition will take place October 11-13, 2018 simultaneously in the two cities and involve participants from around the world, Port of Los Angeles news release said.

The Hackathon has been organized under the chainPORT initiative, a collaboration of twelve leading ports launched in 2015 to digitally connect ports worldwide, share best practices for handling the largest containerships in the global fleet and boost efficiency within the global maritime supply chain.

“Ports must continue to incorporate the latest and most promising technologies in order to remain competitive in today’s dynamic global supply chain environment,” said Gene Seroka, executive director of the Port of Los Angeles. “The Port of Los Angeles is pleased to host a Hackathon for the third consecutive year and we look forward to seeing the ideas that emerge from this unique and unconventional approach to technology development.”

The Hackathon will be open invitation, encouraging teams from various backgrounds and professions to work together on a set of local and global challenges. Challenge subjects will include inter-port information sharing, mobility, safety and security. Ideas will be presented to a jury of experts on the event’s final day, and winners’ ideas may be further developed and implemented through a special business and academic follow-up track.

The Los Angeles chapter of the Hackathon will be held October 12 and 13 at the USC Marshall Center for Global Supply Chain Management. The two ports are currently recruiting industry professionals, students and coaches to participate in the Hackathon. More information can be found at www.chainporthack.com or by email at info@chainporthack.com.

The Port of Los Angeles is America's premier port and has a strong commitment to developing innovatively strategic and sustainable operations that benefit Southern California’s economy and quality of life. North America’s leading seaport by container volume and cargo value, the Port of Los Angeles facilitated $284 billion in trade during 2017. San Pedro Bay port complex operations and commerce facilitate one in nine jobs in the five-county Southern California region.