The International Port Community Systems Association (IPCSA), which is celebrating its tenth anniversary this year, has welcomed another new member – Puertos del Estado, the public body responsible for state-owned Spanish ports.
Spain’s ports handle more than half of its trade within the EU and 96% of its trade with third countries. A total of 46 ports are managed by 28 port authorities, which report directly to Puertos del Estado.
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Some of our ports are already individual members of IPCSA because they have their own Port Community Systems,” says Mar Chao López, director of operations at Puertos del Estado. “It is really valuable for Puertos del Estado to be a member of IPCSA because we provide the Maritime Single Window for all Spanish ports and are also working on the implementation of the European Single Window.
“However, the most important reason for being a member of IPCSA is that we are also developing a major project, SIMPLE – a Single Window which will cover all modes of transport in Spain.”
Supported by the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF), the SIMPLE Technological Platform (SIMplification of Processes for a Logistic Enhancement) represents another major step in the digitalisation and sustainability process launched by Spain’s port system.
“Puertos del Estado works to coordinate and facilitate the whole maritime and ports policy,” says Mar Chao López. “While some of our larger ports are already connected to IPCSA, our membership is particularly important as we are the provider of Single Window and PCS support for smaller Spanish ports. These smaller ports often don’t have the resources or a voice – we are the ones that provide them with a digital platform and support, and we must be as updated as possible.”
As well as keeping up to date with other members’ projects, IPCSA membership will enable Puertos del Estado to inform IPCSA about its projects and developments within Spanish ports, she adds. “This about sharing information. We want to be leaders and we want to work closely with our ports. We want to be active and keep our ears open to share what is going on. In this global world, the focus is on connecting platforms – there are many examples of digital platforms all over Spain and we must be open to new developments on a global basis.”
Richard Morton, secretary general of IPCSA, said: “We are really delighted to welcome Puertos del Estado as a new member and look forward to sharing experiences and working together. The ‘IPCSA family’ has a proud record of openness and is known particularly for the willingness of its members to share their knowledge and expertise. Puertos del Estado has a unique range of experience in its responsibility for a large number of both large and small ports.”
IPCSA, which was founded ten years ago, now has nearly 50 members drawn from all regions of the world. Since its official launch in June 2011, it has achieved rapid growth in membership, while establishing and reinforcing its reputation and influence as an expert authority and adviser on the electronic exchange of information and digitalisation to smooth the flow of cargo and documentation. It is also a recognised NGO with consultative status at UNECOSOC and IMO.
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Notes to editors:
About Puertos del Estado
Spain has a coastline of 8,000 km – the longest of any EU country. Thanks to its geographical location, close to the world’s major shipping routes, Spain is important to international shipping, including for transhipment, and serves as a logistics platform for southern Europe. Spain’s ports handle 60% of exports and 85% of imports, adding up to 53% of Spanish foreign trade with the EU and 96% with third countries.
Puertos del Estado is the state-owned body responsible for the management, efficiency, coordination and control of state-owned ports. Its work includes providing Port Community System and Single Window services, and it is currently developing SIMPLE, an electronic logistics platform which will serve all transport modes in Spain.
About IPCSA
IPCSA is an international association of sea and air port community operators, sea and air port authorities and single window operators that is recognised across the globe for providing advice and guidance on the electronic exchange of information across borders and throughout the whole supply chain.
The association currently has members from across the globe who handle the exchange of information for Business to Business, Government to Business and Government to Government processes and facilitate the smooth cross-border movement of goods. This equates to the electronic exchange of information relating to more than 500 million TEU movements and 10 billion tonnes of cargo for air, sea and land transport – estimated to be in excess of 50 billion million exchanges every year.
IPCSA focuses on supporting and facilitating systems and innovations for Port Community System members and users, and promoting the use of international data standards in sea and air ports, at border crossings and via Single Window systems around the world. IPCSA is a recognised NGO with consultative status at UNECOSOC and IMO.
The PROTECT Group develops and supports the electronic reporting required by authorities for vessels entering or leaving a port or port area. It maintains and develops EDI through the PROTECT Guide. PROTECT is now fully integrated into IPCSA.
Contact:
Richard Morton, Secretary General, IPCSA
Tel: +44 7796334960
email: richard.morton@ipcsa.international website: www.ipcsa.international
Emilio Gómez, Departamento de Prensa, Puertos del Estado
Tel.: +34 91 524 55 17
e-mail: egomez@PUERTOS.ES website: www.puertos.es