Global partners to facilitate data exchange for port and maritime services

The plan is to drive interoperability among maritime platforms globally by developing and adopting common data standards and Application Programming Interface (API) specifications.

The partners are CargoSmart, GTD Solutions representing TradeLens, GeTS and PSA International jointly representing CALISTA, and the Port of Rotterdam Authority.

“The maritime sector is a global business. Different players in the maritime ecosystem are pursuing digitalisation at varying paces. To truly reap the benefits of effective information exchange, we need to move beyond digitising single nodes in the maritime supply chain. MPA and our partners have taken the first step with this MOU. We hope that more will join us in linking up ships, port authorities and platform providers into a seamless digitalOCEANSTM to facilitate port-to-ship connectivity and efficient trade transactions across the globe,” said Niam Chiang Meng, chairman of MPA.

The MPA’s digitalOCEANSTM initiative is where individual data platforms of port authorities, port operators, shipping lines, logistics companies and platform providers can exchange data and interoperate through a common set of APIs.

MPA believes that the MOU to drive interoperability is timely as port authorities have developed or are developing maritime single windows to implement IMO’s Convention on Facilitation of International Maritime Traffic to facilitate the electronic exchange of information for port clearance.

Related:Maritime industry sees increasing demand for data services

“Covid-19 has exposed vulnerabilities in global supply chains on a scale never seen before. As the backbone of global trade, the maritime sector has to evolve to meet the challenges of a new normal economy. Digitalisation, decarbonisation and adaptation to new global trade order are issues that have to be addressed by the industry,” Niam said.