ICHCA wants port harmonisation

GET WITH THE PROGRAM

PORTS • MARITIME INDUSTRY GROUPS BELIEVE THERE IS AN URGENT NEED FOR PORT COMMUNITIES TO GRASP THE NETTLE OF DIGITISATION AND HAVE ISSUED A CALL FOR ACTION

IF CONFIRMATION WERE ever needed, the current global health crisis has thrown into sharp relief the crucial role that seaports and terminals play in keeping vital goods moving around the world. It has also highlighted the need for port authorities and terminal operators to be able to keep on top of rapid changes in levels and patterns of demand.

Some port authorities have already taken steps to leverage the huge amounts of data flowing into their offices to identify weaknesses and to put in place measures to enhance the productivity not only of the ports themselves but of the whole port community, showing that they are well placed to fully grasp the potential offered by the latest wave of technological innovations and integration and develop into ‘smart’ ports. Others have been slower to change and continue to struggle with their reliance on personal interactions and paper-based transactions. Only 49 of the 174 member states of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) have functioning Port Community Systems, which are considered to be the cornerstone of any port in the current digitised business landscape.

Now that the world’s attention is focused on emerging from isolation and preparing for a ‘new normal’, there is an ideal opportunity for inter-governmental organisations, governments and industry stakeholders concerned with maritime trade and logistics to come together and accelerate the pace of digitalisation so that port communities across the world can at least offer a basic package of electronic commerce and data exchange, in compliance with all relevant contractual and regulatory obligations.

WHAT DO WE NEED? To this end, a wide-ranging group has come together to launch a call for action. Those putting their names to this initiative are the International Association of Ports and Harbors (IAPH), BIMCO, the International Cargo Handling Coordination Association (ICHCA), the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS), the International Harbour Masters’ Association (IHMA), the International Maritime Pilots Association (IMPA), the International Port Community Systems Association (IPCSA), the International Ship Suppliers’ Association (ISSA), the Federation of National Associations of Ship Brokers and Agents (FONASBA) and the PROTECT Group. They have identified a number of priorities: 1. Assess the current state of implementation and enforce existing mandatory requirements defined in IMO’s Facilitation Convention (FAL) to support transmission, receipt and response of information required for the

PORTS AROUND THE WORLD ARE URGED TO WAKE

UP TO THE POTENTIAL OFFERED BY DIGITISATION