PCS – Maritime

 

PORT COMMUNITY SYSTEMS IN SEA PORTS AND INLAND PORTS – From punch card to PCS

Late 70-ties the very first Port Community System was setup in Bremen. Paper documents were replaced by electronic documents. Notifications to port authorities were changed from paper forms distribution into electronic forms. The start of the PCS was there. During the 80-toes and 90-ties most of the European big ports created their Port Community System to simplify the exchange of logistic data with business, local authorities and government. Today on global level many ports do have a pcs. Nowadays it is hardly impossible to imagine a port without a IT logistic infrastructure

The Maritime industry handling vessel and cargo operations consists of a variety of stakeholders. The number of different stakeholders related to a vessel call amounts to around 40. All these stakeholders must rely on mature and unambiguous information. In those ports where PCS do not exist yet, there is an average of 150 contact moments for each and every container to be discharged or loaded. These bilateral contacts lead to a diversity of information sources and outcome. To streamline this Port Community platforms where everybody can view and exchange data are the stable factor in the ports’ logistic chain.

Using Port Community Systems in the various seaports have proved to be very efficient for all port operations. Paperless, accurate and timely data, reducing congestion in ports bring huge amounts of added value to the port, business and government parties using the services of Port Community Systems.

International Port Community System Association – Definitions

A Port Community System

    • is a neutral and open electronic platform enabling intelligent and secure exchange of information between public and private stakeholders in order to improve the competitive position of the sea and air ports’ communities.
    • optimises, manages and automates port and logistics processes through a single submission of data and connecting transport and logistics chains.

A Port Community System Operator:

    • is a public, private or public/private organisation that operates and maintains a Port Community System and where the Port Community System represents the core of that organisation’s business.
    • has a board, or some form of steering committee, made up of representatives from different internal and external groups within the port and logistics community.
    • has ‘service level agreements’ with PCS users to manage the electronic exchange of information between different parties on their behalf.

View IPCSA’s Mission & Objective for more information about the organisation or visit the Membership page for more information on becoming a member.