S-211 Port call message
Ship-to-port, port-to-ship, port-to-port, as well as port actor-to-port actor communication needs to be standardized and precise in order to contribute to efficient coordination of port calls. This standard has been developed based on multiple instances of Port Collaborative Decision Making (PortCDM), as a sub concept of Sea Traffic Management (STM) validated within the STM validation project, in different ports, and on joint efforts with contemporary developments (such as the emerging time stamp standard (UKHO_IHMA 2017), route exchange format, Electronic Product Code Information Services (EPCIS) empowered by Global Standards One (GS1), and standards adopted by port community systems and National Single Windows) using time stamp standards. The port call message standard builds upon taking the business logic, i.e. the understanding of how to conceive a port call, as its point of departure, in order to derive time stamps relevant to the exchanged information.
To be noted is that there is no intrinsic interest to develop a new standard if message standards that cater for the same needs already exist. Since the port call message standard crosses the boundaries of the e-navigation practice and the port operations practice as well as creating a link to hinterland and logistics operations it is most likely that this standard will inform the development of message types in multiple standards. The development of the Port Call Message Format has been informed by empirical needs provided from the implementation of PortCDM in 13 ports in Europe. The development of the standards has been driven from that it:
- is founded in a sequence of events constituting a port visit
- puts emphasis on the co-ordination logic for coming to agreements of, and realising service operations
- enhance the data granularity of which movements that are performed by vessels and other working vessels (such as tugs and pilots/pilot boats) to and from different locations
- enhance the data granularity of which operation that are performed at, or to/from, a particular location
- balance the granularity to distinguish each actor’s responsibility and course enough to not put excessive administrative burden on them.
- gives structure for the analysis of PortCDM Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) such as duration time, predictability, waiting times, punctuality, berth productivity, and capacity utilization
- is flexible enough to include/represent specific particularities of port calls from different ports
- gives structure for data analytics of historical data for the purpose of the identification of future patterns of behaviour
for the purpose of:
- increasing situational awareness for all effected actors
- being the foundation for a common understanding, across actors, on what and when services and events are expected to occur before, during and after a port visit of a ship
- increasing collaboration among effected actors
- providing basis for forecasting reliability of critical states and on-time probability of operations
- improving the input to the planning process, for all involved actors
- allowing effected actors more data to better plan activities in a coordinated manor
- enhancing inter-operability throughout the sea voyage berth-to-berth for enhanced efficiency, safety, and environmental sustainability throughout the sea transport
- helping identify areas of inefficiencies and bottlenecks in conjunction with the port visit
- supporting real-time decision making for responsible organizations and personal
The port call message standard
- is compliant with the international standard format for route exchange
- is compliant with the IMO e-Navigation concept and in specific the CMDS (Common Maritime Data Structure)
- will be included in the IHO GI Registry as the centre point of CMDS
- supports the relevant Maritime Service Portfolios (MSP) as defined in the IMO SIP and as described by documents under construction by IALA
- has a granularity, that matches general needs in logistics (could be transferred to hinterland transportation to further improve the maritime transport chain)
The Port Call Message standard originates from the MONALISA 2.0 and the STM validation projects and is maintained by the International PortCDM council. It was converted to an S-200 style product specification in January 2018.
[Download] S-211 version 1.0.0
