The Hindu Business Line : New system soon to integrate maritime activities

In the next couple of years, a shipper or a Custom House Agent in Chennai would know who is shipping what from Mumbai, Kolkata or any other major port.

This would be possible through the proposed Port Community System (PCS) that plans to integrate all activities across the maritime transport chain - right from cargo origin to destination - through exchange of vital information among the members of the port community.

Info sharing

A centralised system is planned to link all members of the Indian port community, including exporters, importers, Custom House Agents, banks, shipping lines and ports.

The PCS will facilitate exchange of vital information needed by each member from other members of the community to perform their functions effectively and to improve the overall efficiency of maritime trade and transportation cycle, according to sources.

The Indian Ports Association (IPA), which has major ports as members, and the Singapore-based Crimson Logic Pvt Ltd will develop the PCS.

The first phase of implementation will happen at the Mumbai and Jawaharlal Nehru ports and other major ports would be covered by the last quarter of 2007, the sources added.

How it works

The PCS will be a single-window concept and documents filed in a port can be sent to various stakeholders associated with any major port.

Currently, some of the major ports have their own systems and links with members of the trade using systems such as electronic data interchange. However, this is restricted only to the respective port's members and does not link other port members across the country.

Though some members of the port community have computerised internal operations, it is difficult for them to transfer data electronically to all trading partners.

Exchanging data, getting status updates from trading partners or transacting business with other members of the community currently take place manually. This results in re-entry of data into their internal systems.

Maintaining links

As Customs, ports and banks begin to adopt electronic exchange of data and e-commerce practices, other members of the port community are forced to catch up.

They may reach a stage where they may have to maintain links with many agencies for doing their business.

In many ports and regions across the globe, the PCS has evolved over a period of time and has proved that sharing data within the port community could allow for significant gains.

The PCS would function as an e-commerce platform for the members of the community.

It would also provide adequate, accurate and timely information and generate alerts about delays or problems, the sources said.