Barbados Port Inc (BPI) has become the newest member of the International Port Community Systems Association (IPCSA), as it begins the introduction of its own digital Port Community System at the Port of Bridgetown.
BPI identified IPCSA as a reference point from the early stages of its PCS (Port Community System) project and has worked with the association through the implementation of its new platform.
“Formalisation of the relationship with IPCSA is aligned with our broader vision for international trade and a part of our strategic approach to digitisation and the build-out of a more inclusive and integrated logistics platform,” said BPI CEO David Jean-Marie.
“As we embark on this new course, being able to share best practices and learning from other likeminded, future-thinking organisations is key to our continued growth.”
The €540,258 Barbados PCS project, part-financed by the European Union and supervised by the Caribbean Development Bank, will introduce a paperless system for processing shipments at Bridgetown. The PCS is due to be operational in 2023.
The new system will support electronic data interchange among state agencies and clients of the port, and the electronic handling of all information regarding clearance of containerised, general and bulk cargo.
It will provide real-time access to information for control, tracking and tracing through the logistics chain, allow for recording, monitoring, reporting and analysis of data using the platform, and support standardisation, rationalisation and harmonisation of clearance processes and procedures.
Coupled with a Maritime Single Window, also under development, these elements form the fundamental pillars of the port’s digital transformation strategy going forward.
“We were pleased to be able to support BPI in its important work to develop and implement a Port Community System and delighted by the team’s decision to join IPCSA as a full member. We look forward to sharing experience and knowledge from both sides,” said IPCSA General Secretary Richard Morton.
“IPCSA continues to expand its membership, in numbers and in geographical range. Having celebrated our tenth anniversary last year, we are progressing with a series of important projects, including our Network of Trusted Networks (NoTN), a unique, secure port-to-port and cross-border data exchange solution for supply chains.”
