The International Harbour Masters Association (IHMA) and the International Association of Ports and Harbors (IAPH) have collaborated to launch a new framework to standardise core port call data, backed by approximately 40 maritime stakeholder organisations.
The Guide for Harmonized Communication and Electronic Exchange of Nautical and Operational Data for Port Calls, also known as the Port Call Optimization (PCO) Guide, establishes a common approach designed to eliminate fragmentation in maritime communication.
Backers include BIMCO, the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS), the International Association of Independent Tanker Owners (INTERTANKO), and the International Association of Dry Cargo Shipowners (INTERCARGO).
Building on existing data standards
A core objective of the PCO Guide is the alignment of maritime data with global technical standards, with the framework underpinned by standards from the International Maritime Organization (IMO), the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO), and the International Organization for Standardization (ISO).
Specifically, the guidelines focus on the use of the IMO Compendium, a terminology register containing the IMO Reference Model and specific data sets.
By using definitions fully aligned with the IMO Compendium and IHO standards, the industry aims to ensure that port call data is interpreted consistently by all stakeholders.
To facilitate electronic exchange, all names in the Application Programming Interface (API) have been harmonised with the IMO Compendium. The API uses camelCase naming conventions, where long field names from the IMO Reference Model are shortened for efficiency while remaining intuitively recognisable. For example, the term “date and time of arrival – planned” is defined in the API as “dateTimeArrivalPlanned”.
The guide recommends a minimum dataset that includes the identification of terminals and berths, the planned time of arrival at the pilot boarding place, and the planned time of departure from the berth.
To identify specific locations, the framework adopts the Global Location Number (GLN). The GLN is an existing ISO standard that provides a globally unique reference code for terminals and berths, functioning similarly to the unique IMO Ship Number used for vessels.
More efficient and effective port calls
“This guide outlines how ports can join a global network of ports which provide access to this minimum set of port call data through an Application Programming Interface (API). It is built on universally accepted IMO and IHO standards which are the same for every port and every ship, ensuring consistency across all ports and ships. Additionally, it incorporates the ISO standard for location identifiers (GLN) and times, recognizing the port’s central role in the global supply chain,” said Captain Ben van Scherpenzeel, Project Officer at IHMA.
“Recognising that both the port and shipping industry are still in a steep learning curve and are conservative by nature, the data scope is limited, and data exchange is based on simple, yet robust techniques and existing chains of command and contracts.”
“The benefits are substantial: standardised, accurate and timely information enhances the efficiency and effectiveness of port calls by enabling better management of assets, resources, and personnel. In turn, this ensures greater safety and regulatory compliance, supports environmental sustainability and lower operational costs for shipping lines, shippers, terminals, ports and their nautical services which support the safe arrivals and departures.”
The guide was developed based on practical trials conducted between ports in Europe, Africa, Asia, and the Americas. This included a demonstration of data exchange between the Maritime Port Authority of Singapore and the Port of Rotterdam, which was showcased at the IMO Facilitation Committee (FAL) 49 meeting last year.
The framework was formally submitted to the IMO FAL 50 meeting in March 2026 through two complementary papers. The submission FAL 50/INF.4 introduces the guide and defines the initial dataset, while FAL 50/17 proposes the development of formalised guidelines on port nautical information based on existing IMO rules.
The guidelines are scheduled to remain valid until 1 April 2031, and are available to download here.
