IPA joins International Port Community System Association

The country's major ports' apex body Indian Ports Association (IPA) has become the newest member of the International Port Community Systems Association (IPCSA). A successor to the European Port Community Systems Association (ECPSA), which was launched in June 2011 by six founding members, IPCSA and its members play an important role in global trade facilitation. The electronic communication platforms provided by port community systems (PCSs) ensure smooth transport and logistics operations at hundreds of seaports, airports and inland ports. IPCSA Chairman Hans Rook said, "IPCSA is delighted to welcome the IPA, which brings with it their experience and knowledge on how to develop a national PCS." The inclusion of the Indian ports through PCS1x platform into IPCSA is a new milestone in IPCSA's development and will support in the implementation of the new global initiatives. PCS1x has been rolled out by IPA to offer a true single window for the port and maritime community for sharing data and information. PCS1x is addressing the way in which information is passed on a real-time basis by integrating with various stakeholder systems bringing speed, transparency and efficiency leading to a reduction in errors and faster processing times. Since December 2018, PCS1x has tripled the user base and reduced the turnaround time of (customs) batch mode of EDI exchange from 30 minutes to less than four minutes. Currently, 12 major ports have fully implemented PCS1x with over 16,000 users transacting. Private ports including Mundra, Pipavav, Hazira, Kattupalli and Dahej have also commenced adoption. IPA Executive Director Abhijit Singh informed that the government desires PCS1x to be the best in class PCS globally. To keep abreast of the technological developments happening globally, IPA should become part of the international port community network by developing association with bodies like IPCSA.