Overview of the ORION System Overview of Orion Brokers, agents, warehousers, carriers, and others involved in international freight movement can gain access to the South Carolina State Ports Authority's ORION information management system and save themselves the expense and time to reinvent or purchase a successful, working computer system. These businesses reap the benefits of a connection to several document clearing and processing systems and rapid information flow. Orion Defined ORION, the Port of Charleston's computer system, is an invaluable tool for many international service providers, cargo carriers and shippers. For companies whose business depends on foreign commerce, ORION is a one-stop-shop for document clearing and processing systems and a host of EDI services. Specifically, it provides access to U.S. Customs' Automated Commercial System (ACS), Automated Manifest System (AMS), and Automated Broker Interface (ABI). The Port of Charleston is one of the most automated ports in the U.S. Its computer system is the key to allowing accurate information exchange and control of freight movements while speeding cargo flows. A testament to this automation, all brokers in Charleston use ABI, and every steamship line transmits manifests through AMS. The Port of Charleston was the first port in the country with 100% participation in both the manifest and broker systems. There are currently more than 400 subscribers to the ORION system including brokers and forwarders, steamship agents and lines, warehouses, non-vessel operating common carriers (NVOCCs), and motor carriers. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are also linked to the system. CONTINUING LEADERSHIP The first system of its kind, ORION went into service in 1982 and is continuously updated and enhanced to maintain its leadership in the EDI field. The South Carolina State Ports Authority developed ORION with step-by-step input from the shipping businesses and federal agencies that use and benefit from it. Continuous input from these groups keeps ORION a practical working tool that is fast, efficient, and easy to use. System developers make special ORION enhancements in response to requests presented by users. Additional ORION programs can be designed to meet specific requirements of companies not presently using the system. Because of ORION's many advanced capabilities and skilled programmers, U.S. Customs chose the Port of Charleston as the pilot location for their Automated Export System (AES). The Port of Charleston was the first port certified for the new system. The South Carolina State Ports Authority makes ORION available to various firms in the shipping community, even if they do not ship through the Port of Charleston. This means that you can take advantage of ORION's proven capabilities while saving the huge start-up costs of creating your own cargo clearance and tracking system. Automation Timeline 1982 - The ORION document processing and clearing system goes into service. The system has been constantly upgraded and revised to meet the needs of both the waterfront community at large and individual users. The Port of Charleston was the first port to be connected to the Automated Manifest System. 1991 - ORION began using value-added networks for system-to-system, direct information exchange. 1992 - the Port of Charleston implemented bar code technology with automatic feeds to EDI networks for breakbulk cargo. 1993 - The Charleston broker community achieves full participation in Customs' Automated Broker Interface. 1993 - the Port of Charleston selected as the pilot site for Sea-Land's Terminal Automation System. The system will be implemented in ports worldwide. 1993 - the Port of Charleston chosen as the site for the initial pilot program for Customs' Automated Export System. 1994 - the Port of Charleston became the first port in the country to feature full participation in U.S. Customs' Automated Manifest System. Every ocean carrier or agent serving the Port of Charleston now files manifest information electronically. The Port of Charleston is still the only port in the country with 100 percent automation of manifest filing. 1994 - Developed another option for motor carriers to receive automatic notification of cargo availability. 1994 - Used the Internet to send and receive data on certain import cargo shipments. 1995 - the Port of Charleston selected as a pilot site for Customs' Automated Export System. 1995 - The only port of the pilot sites successfully transmitting export data to Customs. 1995 - First U.S. public port in the country to contract out its computer system to another U.S. port. 1997 - Began work on the new Yard Management System. 1998 - Port technical infrastructure was updated to support client/server and Internet technologies. 1999 - New Yard Management System piloted at the Columbus Street Terminal 2000 - Updated port-of-charleston.com web site deployed 2002 - New Yard Management System in production at the North Charleston Terminal 2005 - New Yard Management System in production at the Wando Welch Terminal