Linking all the European strands

The project was set up to consider ways to make the most of sustainable and hinterland transport structures – the partners are working together to identify and exchange ideas for achieving speedy, cost-effective freight flows that contribute to regional competitiveness, while reducing environmental impact.

There are two strands to the work – EDI in maritime transport/ports, and port interfaces, hinterland transport, gateways and innovative logistics. A key part of the project has been compiling a study providing an overview of ‘e-initiatives’ in EU ports.

Fundación Valencia Port, Port Integration’s Spanish partner, provided the first phase of the study, and the work was then added to by two more partners, the Port of Tallinn in Estonia and the Port of Riga in Latvia. In the last stage of the process, the European Port Community Systems Association (EPCSA) was contracted to work on the report, drawing on its members’ knowledge of port community systems and the move towards a Single Window environment.

“The report looks at the necessity for the implementation of ICT initiatives, provides a summary of all the relevant activities of the EU, and considers possible strategies for ports as they move forward in this area,” says Miguel Llop, of Fundación Valencia Port. “The document is a broad piece of discussion, and offers widespread options for ports.”

John Winn, representing the Haven Gateway, Port Integration’s UK partner, said: “The EU is moving forward with a large number of ICT initiatives, directives and projects designed to make transport and trade through Europe smooth, efficient and free of bottlenecks, be they physical or virtual.

“The Port Integration study considers how all of these e-initiatives fit together, how they can become reality in the port environment, and how implementation will vary from one location to another.”