The Indian Ports Association (IPA) has become the latest member of the International Port Community Systems Association (IPCSA), to support the further development of India’s National Port Community System (PCS1x) by connecting with the IPCSA global network to facilitate international trade.
PCS1x offers a single window system for port and maritime community data sharing first introduced in 2006, with the latest version having gone live in December 2018. In the period since the update, the new PCS1x has tripled its user base and reduced the turnaround time of Customs batch mode EDI exchange from 30 minutes to under 4 minutes.
Currently 12 major ports have fully implemented PCS1x, with over 16,000 users transacting on the platform. Private ports including Mundra, Pipavav, Hazira, Kattupalli and Dahej have also commenced adoption of the system.
More than 27 identified stakeholders have role-based cloud access to PCS1x, allowing them to interact with ports, terminals, each other and the end user. The platform also includes translation of messages in different standard formats to facilitate the exchange of data with multiple external systems.
“The Indian government’s vision to create a national PCS (NLP-Marine) has, during this time of crisis, enabled greater digitalisation in its ports, which helps to ensure continuing operations,” said Richard Morton, Secretary General of IPCSA.
“Their future ambitions of connecting ports around the world fits well with IPCSA’s own neutral enabling platform initiative, the Network of Trusted Networks, enabling simple, secure and easy Port to Port and Cross Border Exchange of Information. It is a great pleasure to welcome IPA into IPCSA.”
