According to a readiness assessment conducted by Kale Logistics Solutions (Kale) of 200 ports, 30 percent are not ready to adopt the Maritime Single Window (MSW) mandate of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), which will be required globally starting on January 1st, 2024.
In announcing the survey results, Kale emphasised the pressing need for the sector to quicken its digital transformation. The results also identified high implementation costs, protracted timetables, and different degrees of digital preparedness as major barriers to regulatory compliance.
The research, which covered ports in Asia Pacific, the Middle East, Europe, Africa, North America, and South America, stressed the need of Port Community Systems interwoven with an MSW for realising a port’s full potential.
“The purpose of this study was to identify the tangible benefits the maritime industry can achieve with technology intervention, and the results showed potential savings of up to USD50 billion annually by using MSW platforms,” said Vineet Malhotra, Co-Founder and Director, Kale Logistics Solutions.
“However, these benefits are subject to 100 percent adoption of the MSW, and our report reveals that ports are encountering a number of barriers that hinder this digitalisation.
“The MSW concept has the potential to revolutionise the international shipping industry.”
By digitising documents, simplifying procedures, and enhancing information interchange, MSW platforms significantly reduce paper consumption and improve vessel management, which in turn reduces emissions and has a positive impact on the environment.
On a ship-shore operation, 12 agencies typically work together, and the MSW streamlines documentation processes across all parties and guarantees that data is submitted only once.
Information and paperwork may be shared electronically between marine and port parties thanks to Kale’s MSW platform, which complies with IMO regulations and will be required starting in 2024.
“The importance of this study will sow the seed for a digital revolution in the maritime industry worldwide, demonstrating how digitisation can not only bring order to the ongoing chaotic operations in the industry but also achieve significant sustainability goals in the long run,” added Malhotra.
The report was released by Shyam Jagannathan, Director General of Shipping, Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Government of India, at the Global Maritime India Summit in Mumbai, India.
