A project to set up two prototypes for the creation of a Port Community System at the Port of Piraeus was outlined at the European Maritime Day conference held in Gothenburg.

During a workshop session entitled 'Connectivity for Blue Growth', Ioannis Koliousis, of the University of Piraeus' department of maritime studies, presented the work of the EU-funded MOS4MOS project, which aims to improve the exchange of information in the maritime sector and thereby enable smooth logistics flows.

"A key objective of MOS4MOS has been to simplify procedures," he told delegates in Gothenburg. "As part of this, we set up the basic structure of two prototypes for the creation of a PCS at Piraeus."

A Port Community System is an electronic system for exchanging information between shipping lines, agents, port authorities, customs, government agencies, hauliers and others involved in the supply chain.

While COSCO has its own PCS in place for its container operations, the rest of the port is still operating a paper-based system. "Several companies took part in the prototype project and it is planned that the port authority will develop it further," said Mr Koliousis. "There is also a discussion about COSCO possibly extending or combining its system with operations elsewhere in the port."

Piraeus Port Authority (OLP) has just reported a first-quarter net income of €522,000, a significant turnround after a €2.9-million loss in the same period in 2011. Sales rose by 7.3% in the three months to March 31, said OLP.

FL