Press Release
09 May 2022
Estonian-German-Georgian Team Finalized EBRD-financed Feasibility Study for Port Community System in Georgia
Estonian companies Cone Center OÜ, E.N. Shipping Services OÜ, Saaresalu OÜ and HPC Hamburg Port Consulting from Germany and Plisk Ltd from Georgia have successfully handed over a Feasibility Study for Port Community System (PCS) development in Georgia. The final beneficiary of the work is the Maritime Transport Agency of Georgia, the project is financed by the European Bank for Reconstruction & Development (EBRD) and supported by the Georgia Investors Council Secretariat.
PCS is an electronic platform that connects various port management systems ensuring secure and fast exchange of information between the stakeholders – the port, the public and private sectors. Feasibility Study analyzes the costs and benefits of the PCS and envisages the development and implementation process of the information system. While operational, the PCS will help to upgrade the management and automation of ports and logistics processes, improve inter-agency coordination in Georgia and significantly reduce administrative burden and bureaucracy.
At the Stakeholder Working Group Meeting closing the feasibility study project Catarina Bjorlin Hansen, Regional Director of EBRD emphasized the key role of PCS’s development in Georgia’s regional competitiveness. Gumar Guramishvili, Deputy Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development of Georgia expressed gratitude towards all the stakeholders that have given input throughout the process. Tamar Ioseliani, Director of the Georgian Maritime Transport Authority, highlighted cooperation as a key to success. A PCS stakeholder Temeli Shashikashvili from the LAM Shipping Agencies emphasized the role of digital technologies in efficient and sustainable port operations.
Project Manager Eero Naaber from E. N. Shipping Services states that “We have proposed a roadmap to incorporate the best international logistics business experiences fitting to the Georgian national interests and practicability”. Dmitry Lipodat, Solutions Architect at Cone Center summarizes: “A PCS for maritime logistics is like a smartphone for people. You can definitely live without it, but in the modern rhythm of life, it is not possible to be effective”. In addition to that, Heiner Bachmann from HPC confirms: “I am convinced that the implementation of a Port Community System will improve the efficiency of customs and logistics services in Georgian sea ports, and it will support the ambition to make Georgia a logistics hub in the region”. Logistics Expert Riina Palu adds that “Digitization of national supply chains contributes to smooth and integrated global logistics management”.