Digitalisation

Digitalisation

Ports
Digitisation

The ports of Genoa and Savona-Vado are integrated with the logistics chain not only from an infrastructural point of view, but also from a technological one thanks to the Port Community System (PCS), the single data management platform that connects the various public and private systems that make up the port community of the two ports of call.

The PCS is interoperable, open and neutral. It streamlines, oversees, and automates port and logistics operations through a single platform for the exchange of information among all port and logistics sectors, both locally and nationally. Constantly evolving to enhance integration levels among systems, the Ports of Genoa's PCS has achieved a significant level of maturity, also addressing connections with various transport modes, including by road and rail.

Integration and interoperability
The Port Community System of Genoa and Savona-Vado Ligure

The Port Community System at the two ports of Genoa and Savona-Vado serves as a comprehensive digital framework that provides access to more than 60 institutional users, accommodates over 6,000 registered users, and facilitates approximately 20 million messages each year.
At the port of Genoa, Italy's initial instance in the PCS landscape, the full dematerialisation of access procedures for road vehicles has been finalised, encompassing both the Sampierdarena and Pra' port basins. This element anticipates the full elimination of paper documentation related to imported and exported goods, along with the road transport firm's submission of vehicle arrival forecasts (100%) at the terminals in Genoa port.
To ensure the platform's interoperability for both the public sector, which plays an essential role in governance, coordination, and oversight, and the private sector embodied by the maritime-port cluster, the Western Ligurian Sea Port Authority has over the years established all the PCS components required for the interoperability of Public Administrations' platforms, following the frameworks outlined at both central and local levels:

  • Maritime Single Window of Harbour Master (Capitaneria di Porto - CP) - Directive 2010/65/EU Maritime Single Window of the Port of Genoa, interoperability National Maritime Single Window (NMSW) - use of telematic services provided by PMIS
  • Pre-clearing, Customs Corridor, SOLAS/VGM
  • Memorandum of Understanding between the Customs and Monopolies Agency (ADM) and the Western Ligurian Sea Port Authority for the implementation of the project ‘Digitisation of customs procedures in the Western Ligurian Sea Port Authority’.

Interoperability model for the digitisation of customs procedures in ADM ports
Port Community System

Public Administrations

  • Interregional Directorate of the Customs Agency.
  • Provincial Command of the Guardia di Finanza
  • Harbour Master’s Office

Services: Maritime Health, Phytopathologist, Veterinarian, Port Chemists, Forestry, Radiometric, Regional Environmental Protection Agency, Italian National Fire Brigade)

  • RAM, Manager of the National Logistics Platform
  • Private Stakeholders
  • Freight Forwarder
  • Maritime Agency
  • Freight Forwarder Ship
  • Customs Broker or Transit Forwarder
  • Port Terminal
  • MTO
  • Road Transport Company
  • Railway Company
  • Shunting Operator
  • Rail Infrastructure Manager
  • Port Cycle Maritime Desk

In terms of activities related to the public-private interface within maritime processes, the following developments have occurred over the years:

  • interoperability between the PMIS and PCS systems within the Dangerous Goods authorisation process, enhancing the efficiency of data entry tasks performed by shipping agents for the necessary information to access and park Dangerous Goods in port areas;
  • telematic exchange among the private sector operators on PCS to support the procedures of shipping firms and agencies regarding the documentation cycle related to container loading and unloading activities;
  • advancement of digital management for VGM (Vessel Gross Mass) on PCS benefiting shippers, relaying it to the shipping line, in compliance with SOLAS-VGM rules;
  • interoperability between PCS/Port Registry and Harbour Master for managing port access permits, allowing access to the Port Authority's databases concerning port permits for both Port Registry and Security-related permits.


Port Community System National Logistics Platform

The Port Authority is entrusted by law with a strategic role in directing, planning, and coordinating the logistics system relevant to its territorial area. The Port Community System has been implemented in collaboration with key Trade Associations and Public Administrations that play a role in overseeing the port cycle.

In 2017, the Western Ligurian Sea Port Authority became the initial port system to officially participate in the National Logistics Platform (PLN) project, and the PCS-E-Port of the port of Genoa was officially assigned to the PLN, forming the foundational structure for the advancement of the elements of the national platform.

In 2019, the initial part of the PCS created according to the national PLN model was launched in the port of Vado Ligure, and the commissioning process is nearing completion in the ports of Genoa and Savona as well.

Explore more:

Link:

Learn more:

Read the Ports of Genoa Post Magazine