‘The Added Dimension’: major event in Brussels, June 15, 2011
Donnerstag 9 Juni 2011
Port Community Systems are at the very heart of the maritime, shipping and logistics industry; the electronic communication platforms they provide represent the vital cog in thousands of smooth supply chains. In short, Port Community Systems provide ‘The Added Dimension’.
THE inaugural conference and launch of the European Port Community Systems Association will be a landmark event, featuring top-level speakers and the launch of EPCSA’s important new White Paper.
To be held at the World Customs Organization in Brussels on Wednesday, June 15, ‘The Added Dimension’ conference and launch is the first major event organised by the founder-members of EPCSA.
Among the speakers will be:
- Gareth Lewis, Technical Officer at the World Customs Organization;
- Tom Butterly, Chief of Global Trade Solutions Section at the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe in Geneva;
- Representatives from DG MOVE and DG TAXUD.
Members of EPCSA, who represent some of Europe’s leading Port Community Systems, have been working together to develop the White Paper ‘The role of Port Community Systems in the development of the National Single Window’. This document has brought together information and input from all of the EPCSA members for the first time and is considered a milestone in terms of moving forward maritime and logistics IT developments. It will be formally launched at the June 15 event, with a presentation by EPCSA chairmanPascal Ollivierof SOGET.
The afternoon will close with a question and answer session and an opportunity for networking.
"Communication is the vital cog in the smooth transport and logistics operations that drive day-to-day trade across Europe," said Richard Morton, Secretary General and Manager of EPCSA. "Port Community Systems can, and will, play a major role as Europe moves towards the Single Window concept; EPCSA’s members are working together to provide expert opinion on proposed new regulation and to contribute to the harmonisation and coordination of reporting formalities, processes and procedures."
The sixfounding members of EPCSA are:
- dbh (Germany)
- Maritime Cargo Processing (UK)
- Portbase (Netherlands)
- PORTIC (Spain)
- SOGET (France)
- DAKOSY (Germany)
Until now, Port Community Systems have not had a common lobbying position at the European Union.The European Commission is developing a number of initiatives and directives such as e-customs, e-freight and e-maritime; EPCSA’s members have agreed to work together in order to have a common lobbying position and positive influence in new developments.
A key feature of EPCSA is its potential to save the EC time, money and effort by demonstrating and explainingthe role, benefits and objectives of Port Community Systemsand creating a picture of what is already possible, particularly in the context of the Single Window.
To attend ‘The Added Dimension’ or for further information, contact Richard Morton: richard.morton@epcsa.eu or +44 7796 334960.