VERGINIA: The Port of Virginia is partnering with the Commonwealth Center for Advanced Logistics Systems to review operations and identify opportunities for greater efficiency, state Del. Kirk Cox, R-Colonial Heights, announced Thursday.
Under terms of an agreement between the port and the center – a research collaboration between business, government and Virginia universities – a researcher from the center will be at the port this fall and “will focus initially on vessel berthing and scheduling processes,” according to a statement.
The port is one of the few on the East Coast ready to handle larger vessels expected to use the newly expanded Panama Canal, John Reinhart, CEO and executive director of the Virginia Port Authority, said.
“As such, we expect a significant increase in traffic and volume. In order to meet these demands now and in the future, we have to pursue every avenue to operate our terminals as efficiently, effectively and as safely as possible. Connecting with the knowledge base and experience at (the center) is an innovative solution that will help steer our efforts to further refine our berthing and scheduling processes.”
Cox announced the agreement in Disputanta at a joint board meeting of the center and another organization like it, the Commonwealth Center for Advanced Manufacturing, at which he was recognized for his efforts in support of workforce training programs in Central Virginia.
