“Port Community Systems and

the Agent”

Richard MortonSecretary General

International Port Community Systems Association

20th October 2016LPA Meeting, FONASBA, London

The Increasing importance of the Electronic Exchange of Information

Ref: WTO Website -https://www.wto.org/english/thewto_e/countries_e/org6_map_e.htm

It is an organization for opening up trade and is a forum for governments to negotiate trade agreements, settle trade disputes and operates a system of trade rules. Essentially, the WTO is a place where member governments try to sort out the trade problems they face with each other.

The World Trade Organisation

WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement• In December 2013, WTO members concluded

negotiations on a Trade Facilitation Agreement• The TFA will enter into force once two-thirds of members

have completed their domestic ratification process.• Currently ratified by 94 of it’s members (27th September

2016)• The TFA contains provisions for expediting the

movement, release and clearance of goods, including goods in transit.

• It also sets out measures for effective cooperation between customs and other appropriate authorities on trade facilitation and customs compliance issues.

► 3 articles consisting of 23 sections – At least 8 relate to IT connectivity

Source: www.tfafacility.org/trade-facilitation-agreement-facility

WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement

Copyright Bureau Veritas 27th September 2016

TFA Links to Single Window

5

Article 10.4 Single Window4.1 Members shall endeavour to establish or maintain a single window 4.2 “single submission of information”4.4 ….use information technology to support the single window.Section III - contains provisions that establish a permanent committee on trade facilitation at the WTO, require members to have a national committee to facilitate domestic coordination and implementation of the provisions of the Agreement

Source: UNECE, Tom Butterly, IPCSA Conference, 1st June 2015

Recommends Governments to establish Single Window for Cross Border Trade

Defines features: • … one time submission • ..of standardized information and documents

• sharing of information amongst government agencies;

• coordinated controls and inspections of the various governmental authorities;

• Allow payment of duties and other charges;

• Be a source of trade related government information.

Single Window UNECE Recommendation 33

A MISSING ELEMENT OF THE SINGLE WINDOW CONCEPT

“OPERATIONAL PROCESSES”

Port Community Systems create the solution

PCS – A Trade Facilitation ToolPCS thus link

Administrative and Operational procedures

electronically via the exchange of

messages on a end to end basis (machine to

machine) with all stakeholders.

A PCS:• Links administrative

processes to operational ones

• Thus re-using data for both purposes and the re-use of existing Information Systems

• Creating Transparency & reducing trade burdens

• Can also act as a Gateway into a Single Window

What is a Port Community System ?

“A Port Community System is not an IT project, but a change management project.”

Javier Gallardo, Portic (IPCSA), Red VUCE meeting, 4th December, Cusco, Peru

A Port Community System is:• a neutral and open electronic platform enabling intelligent and

secure exchange of information between public and private stakeholders in order to improve the competitive position of the sea and air ports’ communities.

• optimises, manages and automates port and logistics efficient processes through a single submission of data and connecting transport and logistics chains.

A TRUSTED THIRD PARTY

The Port Community System –a typical example

ContainerTerminal Veterinary

Office

Cargo Ship

Riverboat/Barge

Feeder

SafeSeaNet

Railway Terminal

State statistical

Office

Pilots

TruckCompany

TruckerHinterland Terminal

Rail Transport Company…“n“….

Port Authority

Consignor

ConsigneeForwarder

CustomsShip OwnerAgent

PCS

Authorities

Copyright dbh 2016

The rise of Community Systems• Neutral Electronic Exchange platform• Community led trade facilitation tool• Trusted Third party (stakeholders from the community)• Relatively low development cost and operating costs• Low cost solution for users• Provides an interface between trade and administrative

procedures• Reduces interfaces required by public administrations as

they can use PCS as main exchange platform• A community solution created by Information technology• Not a Software solution…….

Role of Port Community Systems• Gateways into Single Window(s) ( EU Directive 201/65 Ships

Reporting Formalities / IMO Single Window)– PCS provide limited changes for operators– Reduce number of interfaces into government MSW or other agencies– Combines operations and administrative procedures– Trusted Third Party

• Globalisation– Ports are global players– PCS are linking (through the IPCSA Track and Trace Initiative) ports

across the world– Sharing data on vessels and consignments/containers

• Multimodal Logistics Chains– PCS provide for seamless transmission of information between

different parties in multimodal transport chain

Emerging Trends• Confused Trade Facilitation measures in

different countries – multiple players– UN including UN/CEFACT, WTO, WCO, etc…

• Multiple Single Windows– Customs Single Window– Maritime Single Window– Veterinary Single Window

• Trade Single Window with Port Community Systems– Africa

2015-16 Activities• IMO

– Translators and Facilitation team visit to Harwich and Felixstowe

• Harwich Haven Authority (Harbour Authority)• Trinity House (Navigation Authority)• Port of Felixstowe (Port Operator)• Presentations on:

– Port Community Systems (IPCSA)– Agents (FONASBA)

– FAL – critical to know how will Member States implement FAL and will information need to be electronic

• Revision of the Electronic Compendium

2015-16 Activities• WTO

– Workshop at WTO Public Forum on Inclusive Trade– Supported by FONASBA

• UNCEFACT– Leading new project “Core principles of Single Window

Operations”– New projects covering terminology Interoperability etc.

• UNCTAD– Currently discussing global project to create standard

interfaces into ASYCUDA customs system for the industry

2015-16 Activities• DG TAXUD

– Participation in UCC Project groups on• “Simplifications”• “EUSW for Customs”

– Participation in Most DG TAXUD meetings where Trade Invited

• DG MOVE– Digital Transport and Logistics Forum– eManifest

Future Activities 2016 and beyond• Global Track and Trace (connecting PCS)• Incorporating Air Environment into PCS• UNCTAD Project on ASYCUDA• eManifest• EU SW for Customs and EMSW• Single Window and UNCEFACT• World Trade Organisation & TFA• Cybersecurity (ISAC)

IPCSA Track and Trace Initiative• In order to exchange Track And Trace information between PCS’s, the project

features a set of services that will be used by the PCS systems.

• PCS systems communicate directly between them (B2B) in order to share information.

• An API has been designed in order to develop REST services, and share standard patterns.

• There are three types of services:– Authentication services

– Query services

– Subscription services

China/Shangai - EasipassSpain/ Barcelona - PORTIC Holland/ Rotterdam - PortBaseBelgium/Antwerp - Antwerp Port Community SystemIsrael - Israel PortsEngland / Felixstowe- MCPSpain/Tarragona- PORTELSpain/ Bilbao - Bilbao PortAustralia - 1StopGermany/ Bremen - DBH

Who is IPCSA ?• Formed as EPCSA in 2011, became IPCSA in 2014• Five Regions with members, which those of UN

Regional Commissions • Members operate in ports that handle in excess of

175m TEUs and 5 billion tonnes of cargo worldwide• Operating in over 100 sea and air ports worldwide

Members handle tens of millions of electronic messages every day.

• Membership open to PCS Operators & Port Authorities• Associate members include Oceania Customs

Organisations, FONASBA and INCU

Five Membership regions with members operating in 31 countries

IPCSA PrioritiesIPCSA core priorities: Standardisation – message and B2G Interfaces Customs and other Government Agencies Single Window / Trade Facilitation Cybersecurity and data protections Community Systems Development

IPCSA Initiatives Track and Trace API Standards Cybersecurity

For more information on IPCSARichard Morton, Secretary General

E: richard.morton@ipcsa.international