Ports roll out shared data standard
The International Association of Ports & Harbours and the International Harbour Masters Association launched a standardized port‑call data framework to harmonize shipping communications and cut emissions. The timing matters — it arrives as Red Sea and Hormuz disruptions force longer, costlier routes, so standardized data could trim delays and emissions even if it can’t fix geopolitical chokepoints on its own. (manilatimes.net) (nytimes.com) (dw.com)
The document is titled the Port Call Optimization (PCO) Guide and was published in March 2026 as a versioned industry guide for harmonising electronic port‑call exchanges. (sustainableworldports.org) The PCO Guide defines a minimum dataset that explicitly includes terminal and berth identifiers, the planned time of arrival at the pilot boarding place, and the planned time of departure from the berth, with ETA‑Berth and ETA‑Pilot fields specified. (iaphworldports.org) To identify locations the framework adopts the Global Location Number (GLN) as the preferred identifier for terminals and berths, replacing ad‑hoc naming that has caused mismatches in scheduling. (smartmaritimenetwork.com) IAPH and IHMA secured endorsements from about 40 maritime organisations for the guide, with named supporters including BIMCO, ICS, Intertanko, Intercargo, IBTA, the Nautical Institute, FONASBA and the World Bank. (iaphworldports.org) Independent industry analyses cited by the guide suggest digital PCO and JIT arrivals can cut fuel use and CO2: Portchain modelled bunker and emissions reductions of roughly 6–14%, while an EU‑funded Cordis project cites voyage fuel savings of up to 23% from coordinated speed adjustments. (europort.nl) The guide was presented at IMO Facilitation Committee (FAL 50) on 23–27 March 2026 as submission FAL50/INF.4, and industry observers say the framework could be routed for formal IMO endorsement by around spring 2027 if uptake and interoperability testing progress. (iaphworldports.org) The PCO Guide explicitly links success to system integration: it urges electronic messaging over phone and email and notes current fragmentation—EDI, email and telephone remain common—must be resolved through port‑community systems and interoperable platforms. (dcsa.org)
