DCSA publishes guidelines for standard API connections

The Digital Container Shipping Association (DCSA) has announced the release of a new set of guidelines for API development to make it easier for industry stakeholders to adopt its standards and connect third-party technologies.

These guidelines can already be used to implement the organisation’s standards for Track & Trace and Operational Vessel Schedules (OVS), outlining how APIs should be designed, developed and implemented in the container shipping context.

The document defines a list of API characteristics which compliant systems should follow, noting that they should have clearly defined responsibilities and an appropriate level of abstraction, while also being stable, secure and optimised for common interactions.

Specific technical details for API developers are described in the guidelines, detailing elements that ‘Must’ and ‘Should’ be included, those that are ‘Recommended’ or ‘Optional’, as well as noting inclusions that ‘Must Not’ be made.

The API guidelines are free to download, and are available via the DCSA website.

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Rob O'Dwyer
Rob O'Dwyer

Rob is Chief Network Officer and one of the founders of Smart Maritime Network. He also serves as Chairman of the Smart Maritime Council. Rob has worked in the maritime technology sector since 2005, managing editorial for a range of leading publications in the transport and logistics sector. Get in touch by email by clicking here, or on LinkedIn by clicking here.

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