Ports and shipping organisations have unveiled the first global framework to standardise port call data, aiming to improve berth-to-berth navigation, optimise port operations and reduce emissions across the maritime supply chain.
A long-standing data gap in global port operations
For decades, maritime operations have relied on a complex web of port-specific data systems. Each port maintains its own formats, procedures and databases, forcing ship operators and logistics stakeholders to navigate a fragmented information landscape.
For shipping companies operating global fleets, this lack of harmonisation creates operational challenges. A vessel calling at multiple ports may encounter different data structures, reporting procedures and information sources—from nautical charts and port databases to shipping agents and terminal operators.
This fragmentation complicates voyage planning, berth allocation and operational coordination, often leading to inefficiencies such as delays, duplicated reporting and increased operational risk.
Against this backdrop, maritime organisations have been working to establish a common approach to port call data exchange.
The Port Call Optimization initiative
The newly published Port Call Optimization (PCO) Guide represents a milestone in this effort. Developed jointly by the International Association of Ports and Harbors (IAPH) and the International Harbour Masters’ Association (IHMA), the guide proposes a unified framework for the harmonised communication and electronic exchange of nautical and operational data for port calls.
The initiative brings together a wide coalition of maritime stakeholders, including organisations such as BIMCO, the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS), Intertanko and Intercargo, as well as institutions such as the World Bank and the Nautical Institute.
By aligning industry practices with internationally recognised standards established by the International Maritime Organization (IMO), the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) and the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), the framework aims to provide a consistent foundation for port data exchange worldwide.
The ultimate objective is to translate long-standing ambitions for safer and more efficient berth-to-berth navigation into practical operational tools for ports and shipping companies.
A minimum dataset to improve port call efficiency
At the core of the PCO framework is a simple concept: start with a minimum set of universally relevant port call data.
Rather than attempting to standardise the entire spectrum of port operations from the outset, the guide introduces a limited but high-value dataset designed to support safe navigation and operational planning.
This dataset includes, among other elements:
- identification of terminals and berths
- planned time of arrival at the pilot boarding place
- planned time of departure from the berth
These basic indicators provide a shared operational reference for ports, ship operators and nautical service providers, enabling more reliable planning of vessel movements and berth availability.
The “basics first” approach reflects the industry’s recognition that global standardisation must begin with practical and widely applicable data elements before expanding to more complex operational datasets.
From fragmented systems to interoperable port data
A key component of the PCO framework is the use of Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) to facilitate electronic data exchange between ports and maritime stakeholders.
Through these interfaces, ports can publish standardised port call data that can be accessed by shipping companies, hydrographic services and other actors involved in maritime operations.
The framework relies on widely adopted international data standards to ensure interoperability between systems. For example, ISO standards are used for location identifiers, while nautical information structures align with IHO data models.
The objective is to enable ports to join a global network in which essential operational data can be shared consistently across systems, reducing the administrative burden associated with multiple reporting formats.
Such interoperability is expected to support the broader digitalisation of port operations and strengthen integration within the global maritime supply chain.
Operational and environmental benefits
The harmonisation of port call data could deliver significant operational improvements across the maritime sector.
From an operational standpoint, standardised data exchange enables more accurate planning of vessel arrivals and departures, allowing ports and terminals to allocate resources more effectively. Better coordination between stakeholders—such as harbour masters, pilots, terminal operators and ship managers—can also reduce uncertainty during port calls.
For shipping companies, improved predictability of berth availability can help avoid inefficient operational practices such as vessels sailing at high speed only to wait at anchorage.
The resulting efficiency gains may also have environmental implications. By reducing waiting times and enabling better voyage planning, ports and ship operators can lower fuel consumption and reduce associated greenhouse-gas emissions.
In this sense, port call optimisation is increasingly viewed as a practical tool for advancing both operational performance and sustainability within the maritime industry.
Early trials in major global ports
Although the guide has only recently been released, the principles behind the initiative have already been tested in several advanced ports.
Early demonstrations of port-to-port data exchange were carried out between the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore and the Port of Rotterdam, illustrating how standardised data can support coordination between ports and shipping operators.
These trials were showcased during meetings of the IMO Facilitation Committee, providing industry stakeholders with practical examples of how harmonised port call data can be implemented in real-world operations.
The experience gained from these pilot projects helped shape the final framework presented in the PCO Guide.
Next steps: building a global network of ports
The publication of the guide represents only the first step in a broader effort to build a global ecosystem for port call data exchange.
Industry organisations have submitted related proposals to the IMO Facilitation Committee (FAL) to further develop international guidelines for port nautical information and operational data exchange.
At the same time, an international API testbed is being established to allow ports to test their systems against the proposed standards. Ports that successfully implement the framework could eventually join a wider network where port call data is shared consistently among maritime stakeholders.
If widely adopted, the initiative could significantly reshape how information flows between ports and shipping companies.
Looking ahead
The Port Call Optimization Guide marks a significant step toward greater standardisation in maritime operations.
By establishing a common framework for the exchange of essential port call data, the initiative seeks to address long-standing inefficiencies caused by fragmented information systems across the global port network.
As ports begin to adopt these standards, the harmonisation of port data could play an increasingly important role in improving navigation safety, operational efficiency and environmental performance throughout the maritime supply chain.
