WE HAVE witnessed major changes in the maritime industry, with a growing need for digitisation at ports. This need is fuelled by a clear goal: to increase overall efficiency. By streamlining processes, reducing wait times for vessels, and fostering greater transparency in data sharing, ports can significantly improve their operational performance.

Standardisation is a crucial element in this equation. While larger ports already boast a higher level of digitisation, the competitive landscape, including small and mid-sized ports, presents a unique challenge.

The International Maritime Organization has introduced a game changer for port efficiency and crew workload — the Maritime Single Window (MSW). Traditionally, when entering a port, vessels must submit many mandatory reports to various authorities like immigration, customs, port state control, harbour masters and terminal operators. Managing this paperwork can be a significant challenge for crews and agents.

To address this issue, the IMO developed a “file facilitation” approach aimed at standardising mandatory reports and reducing administrative burdens. The MSW builds upon this initiative. Instead of submitting separate reports to numerous agencies, crews now submit a single report. This streamlined approach empowers the MSW to distribute relevant data to the respective organisations, eliminating unnecessary duplication and simplifying the process.

Here's where digitisation plays a crucial role. Port community systems (PCS) like Hexagon’s offering and Perseus by Marine Fields house a wealth of information, including both statutory data (required for official reporting) and operational data (used for internal logistics).

These systems can be seamlessly connected to the MSW, enabling automated report generation and submission based on existing data within the PCS. This harmonisation ensures seamless data flow between vessels, ports, and authorities, further streamlining the entire port call process.

In respect of small and medium-sized ports, one of the most significant advantages of Perseus and Hexagon’s port community systems is their deployment model — Software as a Service (SaaS), eliminating the need for smaller ports to invest in expensive, in-house IT infrastructure, which can be a major hurdle for them. With SaaS, services are delivered through the cloud, meaning smaller ports benefit from the same powerful functionalities and scalability as their larger counterparts without the upfront costs or ongoing maintenance burdens associated with traditional on-premises systems.

In addition, transparency is fundamental for a well-functioning maritime supply chain.

Traditionally, cargo owners often faced a frustrating lack of visibility of the location and status of their goods on board vessels, causing delays in further execution of processing and transportation. Digitised solutions are changing this dynamic by providing real-time information sharing throughout the shipping journey.

Cargo owners can now gain valuable insights into the whereabouts of their goods, estimated arrival times, and potential delays, empowering them to make informed decisions and optimise their logistics strategies. This enhanced transparency fosters trust and collaboration within the maritime ecosystem, ultimately leading to a more efficient and reliable flow of goods across the globe.

As sustainability is a top priority for many organisations, including the IMO, a key focus area is reducing greenhouse gas emissions from shipping. By streamlining processes and optimising operations, these systems contribute to significant reductions in wait times for vessels. This translates to less time spent idling at anchor or manoeuvring within ports, leading to a direct decrease in fuel consumption and associated emissions.

Furthermore, digitisation facilitates faster turnaround times and fosters information sharing between upstream and downstream ports. This enables vessels to optimise their voyages by adjusting speed based on berth availability and real-time traffic conditions, further minimising fuel consumption and emissions throughout the entire journey.