“Let’s not re-invent the wheel”. This was the key message to come out of the European Commission’s e-Maritime conference in Brussels this week.
Speaker after speaker emphasised the vital role that Port Community Systems must play in Europe’s move towards the ‘Single Window’ environment.
The EU Directive 2010/65 on ships reporting formalities, which sets a 2015 deadline for all EU member states to implement a Single Window for electronic reporting of data, was a major focus during the conference.
Among those speaking out was Txaber Goiri, who presented the view of the European Sea Ports Organisation (ESPO). “ESPO urges national administrations to maintain and integrate existing Port Community Systems as entry points within the national Single Windows,” he said.
Mr Goiri, chairman of ESPO’s intermodal transport and logistics committee, described Port Community Systems as ‘local Single Windows’. As the true entry point to national Single Windows, they present a clear opportunity to meet the deadline set by Directive 2010/65, he added.
The 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 sea and airports’ communities. It optimises, manages and automates port and logistics efficient processes through a single submission of data and by connecting transport and logistics chains.
Port Community Systems are already mature and are in operation in 13 EU member states, operating successfully in large and small ports, and being developed in seven other member states.
At the conference, EPCSA launched a Policy Statement on 2010/65, Single Window and e-Maritime, in which it calls for any changes in electronic reporting requirements and processes to be kept to a minimum, with the re-use of infrastructure that already exists.
Going forward, EPCSA will focus on increasing interaction between Port Community Systems in member states.
