Global Shipping Business Network (GSBN) has welcomed Portbase, International Container Terminal Services, Inc. (ICTSI) and Westports Holdings Berhad (Westports) as its latest members.
Founded in 2009, Portbase is a not-for-profit organisation that develops and operates the digital infrastructure for Dutch ports. Portbase is the first Port Community System (PCS) to integrate with GSBN in Europe.
Portbase’s leading PCS will connect with GSBN’s global network to enable a secure flow of data for joint users to benefit from greater value and performance.
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Since joining the network last year, ICTSI has recently deployed GSBN’s Cargo Release with Contecon Manzanillo S.A. de C.V. (CMSA), one of the major container terminal operators in Mexico.
The solution streamlines the documentation process to shorten the cargo release process and was deployed in just two weeks. Through ICTSI’s global platform approach, any of GSBN’s products can reportedly be deployed easily and efficiently across its global network of 32 terminals across 19 countries.
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Finally, Westports is a leading port operator located in Malaysia with connections to the main shipping route along the Straits of Malacca, a strategic transshipment hub in Southeast Asia. It will integrate with GSBN as part of its green and smart port strategy.
Datuk Ruben Emir Gnanalingam bin Abdullah, the Executive Chairman cum Group Managing Director of Westports, said: “Together with GSBN, we can optimise key processes and facilitate efficient data sharing across the shipping industry.
“This is aligned with our push to develop green and smart port concepts, not only reducing greenhouse gas emission but also providing a future-proof port to support economic growth.”
Bertrand Chen, CEO of GSBN, added: “We are thrilled to welcome our new members, Portbase and Westports to the network and once again strengthen our support to the shipping ecosystem globally.
“With partners like ICTSI and the others, new solutions can be quickly deployed to the ports and terminals, ultimately driving industry-wide digitisation, data collaboration and decarbonisation.”
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Iwan van der Wolf, CEO and Managing Director at Portbase, concluded: “By connecting with GSBN’s trust-by-design data platform on behalf of our joint users, we enable scalable, secured data exchange between the Dutch ports, their hinterland community and GSBN’s global shipping network.
“We look forward to further strengthening our connection with GSBN and together facilitating a seamless flow of data to accelerate the industry-wide decarbonisation.”
In November 2023, GSBN signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with ZAN to explore technical innovations for tokenising the electronic Bill of Lading (eBL).