PORT CALL OPTIMISATION: The digital mooring

In a recent column, I used the metaphor of a “digital cake” to describe how standards form a critical layer in building a modern, connected supply chain. At the end of March, the industry took a meaningful step forward — one that could have far-reaching implications for global trade.

At its 50th session in London, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Facilitation Committee (FAL 50) approved the Port Call Optimisation (PCO) Guide, establishing a standardised approach to one of the industry’s most persistent inefficiencies: the ship-to-shore interface.

For all the talk of “smart ports,” the reality remains stubbornly analogue. A recent International Association of Ports and Harbors report highlighted that in more than 60% of port calls, authorities still require physical paperwork — despite the IMO’s Maritime Single Window mandate coming into effect on 1 January 2024. This administrative friction continues to drain value from the supply chain.

With the approval of the PCO Guide, the IMO has moved beyond recommendations to establish an auditable framework — one that begins to turn port standards into actionable supply chain intelligence.

A Common Language for Port Calls — At Last

One of the longstanding challenges in measuring port performance has been deceptively simple: definitions.

When a vessel is recorded as “arrived,” does that mean it has crossed the port limit, dropped anchor, or secured alongside? These inconsistencies have made meaningful comparisons between ports difficult, if not impossible.

The PCO Guide addresses this directly by introducing a standardised nautical minimum dataset with globally agreed definitions. Key timestamps — Planned Time of Arrival (PTA), Estimated Time of Arrival (ETA), Actual Time of Arrival (ATA), and Requested Time of Arrival (RTA) — now carry consistent meaning across IMO member states.

These are no longer just acronyms; they form a common language for port call data.

What This Means for Cargo Visibility

The implications extend well beyond port authorities. For importers, exporters, and digital visibility platforms, data consistency has long been a limiting factor.

Tools such as Fluent Cargo, Terminal49 and MarineTraffic rely on port data that has historically varied in definition and quality. If one port records arrival at anchorage and another at berth, predictive models inevitably produce inconsistent results.

Standardised data inputs will materially improve the reliability of these platforms. For cargo owners tracking international shipments, this translates into more accurate forecasting and better-informed decisions.

From Fuel Savings to Precision Logistics

Just-in-Time (JIT) port calls are often framed as a fuel-saving measure. In reality, they represent a shift toward precision logistics — reducing variability across the entire supply chain.

The PCO Guide’s Requested Time of Arrival (RTA) mechanism is central to this shift. When a terminal issues an RTA, it defines a specific window in which the berth will be available. Vessels can then adjust speed to arrive exactly within that window.

For cargo owners, this creates a predictable port call schedule, reducing the need for buffer time and lowering inventory levels. At its core, port call digitisation is a supply chain efficiency story.

Enabling the Next Generation of Shipping

Alongside the PCO Guide, the IMO is advancing frameworks for Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships (MASS). These vessels will depend on deterministic, machine-readable data flows at every stage of a port call.

An autonomous vessel cannot rely on manual paperwork or ad hoc communications to confirm berth availability or clearance. It requires consistent, structured data — from initial ETA exchanges through to Actual Time of Departure (ATD).

In this context, the PCO Guide is more than a compliance tool — it is foundational infrastructure. Ports that adopt these standards are not only improving current operations; they are preparing for a future in which digital integration is a prerequisite for participation.

From Measurement to Benchmarking

As adoption grows, the industry will gain access to genuinely comparable performance data. Shipping lines will be able to assess ports based on measurable criteria such as berth window adherence and RTA reliability.

This marks a shift from anecdotal assessments to evidence-based decision-making. Ports that perform well will attract greater volumes; those that do not will face increasing scrutiny in a more transparent, data-driven environment.

What Happens Next

The approval of the PCO Guide marks an important transition — from fragmented measurement to standardised benchmarking.

The tools are now in place for ports to play a central role in improving supply chain visibility and predictability. By providing consistent, machine-readable data, ports can better support the needs of cargo owners, logistics platforms, and shipping lines alike.

The next step is execution. Ports that embed these standards into daily operations will not only improve efficiency — they will position themselves at the centre of a more predictable, coordinated, and digital-first global logistics network.

This article appeared in the April | May 2026 edition of DCN Magazine