Behind the scenes standardisation success
One organisation that does not receive enough credit for the valuable work it does for the ports industry is the SMDG group, a non-profit foundation, which aims to further the development of one single language for electronic data interchange (EDI) messages around the world.
SMDG as an organisation is not an easy organisation to understand at first glance – the name “SMDG” doesn’t tell you a lot and really you are not that much wiser when you explode it out beyond the abbreviation, i.e. to Ship Messaging Development Group.When, however, you dig into precisely what SMDG does – and plenty of information is available in this respect on the website at http://www.smdg.org and via Frans Jol, managing director at Salerno Container Terminal who heads up public relations for SMDG – then you realise that while SMDG’s core function is to develop and promote UN/EDIFCAT EDI-messages for the maritime industry, its role, function and overall usefulness has moved on considerably since its original task of agreeing a standard format for the exchange of ship stowage and planning information – what became known as the BAPLIE message.
The original BAPLIE message has been refined – version 2 is now available and SMDG is a major source of knowhow on this. The group has also looked at other operational messages for stowage instructions (MOVINS), tank statements (TANSTA) and terminal performance reporting (TPFREP),and all these messages are now in the process of implementation.
SMDG’s recent meeting in Sydney, Australia also highlights just what valuable work the group does which, from the perspective of ports, is well worth diverse parties in the supply chain – terminal operators, shipping lines and others – taking the time to understand properly and harnessing for its own purposes when appropriate. As examples, the Sydney meeting, SMDG’s 48th, noted the following:
● Container Security: the bolt seal is to be replaced by the electronic seal with the first of these coming into service in 2007. EDI messages therefore need to be created to read the seals at the terminal gate and cranes on the quayside.
● Container Tags. Two container tags per container are to be fitted as standard. SMDG will create the EDI messages to read these and as with the electronic seal has already devised a temporary solution. Port Strategy’s opinion is that this is an organisation that does an excellent job and is well worth supporting in pursuit of excellence in our industry.
For further information contact: frans.jol@gallozzi.com.
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