Barbados Port Inc. (BPI) became the newest member of the International Port Community Systems Association (IPCSA).
With this move, BPI looks forward to deepening its relationship with IPCSA while it continues to change the logistics dynamics of the Port of Bridgetown in Barbados with the introduction of its own Port Community System (PCS).
“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.
The Barbados PCS project, worth approximately US$570,000, is part-financed by the European Union and supervised by the Caribbean Development Bank.
The project is expected to introduce a paperless system for processing shipments at Bridgetown and will be operational in 2023.
The new PCS, according to BPI’s director of digital innovation and development, Rommel Edwards, will enable easy and efficient electronic data interchange between state agencies and port customers and the electronic handling of all container clearing information, general and bulk cargo.
In addition, the system will provide real-time access to information for control, tracing and tracking through the logistics chain, enable improved management, recording, monitoring, reporting and analysis of data using the platform, and allow improved documentation through simplification, standardisation, rationalisation and harmonisation clearing processes and procedures, according to a statement.
Along with a Maritime Single Window, which is also under development, these elements are critical to the port’s digital transformation, as it supports improved performance, efficiency and productivity, explains Edwards.
IPCSA General Secretary, Richard Morton said that “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.”
