On December 7, 2021, Commissioner Carl W. Bentzel will kick off the Federal Maritime Commission’s (FMC) Maritime Data Infrastructure initiative.

Earlier this month, FMC Chairman Daniel B. Maffei appointed Commissioner Bentzel to spearhead the initiative which will focus on identifying data constraints that impede the flow of ocean cargo and add to supply chain inefficiencies. This project will aim to establish data standards and best practices for data access and transmission essential for a reliable and stable ocean transportation system.

Through the first half of 2022, Commissioner Bentzel will convene a series of meetings with maritime and intermodal stakeholders with initial findings presented at a data summit hosted by the FMC in the spring.

The kick off meeting will feature information on the current need for data transparency to improve supply chain transparency and create greater efficiencies in the movement of cargo. The participants in the December 7th meeting will include:

John Porcari – Port Envoy, Biden-Harris Administration Supply Chain Disruptions Task Force;

Lars Jensen – CEO, Vespucci Maritime;

Brian Bumpass – Chair, National Shipper Advisory Committee (FMC); Director of Logistics & Transportation, Brenntag North America; and

Kristen Monaco –Chief Economist, FMC