Abu Dhabi Ports Company (ADPC) has signed an MoU with government agencies for the introduction of a new information and documentation system at all its ports
The MoU, signed on the sidelines of the third edition of the World Ports and Trade Summit 2013 in Abu Dhabi, was made between ADPC, Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority (ADFCA), Abu Dhabi Customs Administration (ADCA), and Abu Dhabi Terminals (ADT).
Intended to act as a ?one-stop-shop? for ports? service and to accelerate trade-related documentation and information, the ports community system (PCS) would act as a secure, centralised electronic system to manage the exchange of information between the relevant parties, according to ADPC.
Captain Mohamed Al Shamisi, executive vice president - ports at ADPC, said, ?We hope this MoU will provide a great platform and spring-board for co-operation on these matters, not just for the PCS, but other areas where we can continue to improve our competitive edge in the maritime industry, and for the emirate of Abu Dhabi as a whole.?
ADPC also said that the PCS platform would benefit freight forwarders, ship owners, shipping agents, ports services, inland carriers and other entities who regularly used the ports.
HE Mariam Hareb Al Yousef, executive director of policies and regulations at ADFCA, said that the authority has to remain focussed on its core efforts and strengthen its procedures, to ensure the safety of food through all stages of the food supply chain.
?We apply very stringent rules, especially when it comes to the issue of importing food through Abu Dhabi Ports, and we also have had a very new effective control system in place that was implemented in 2009.?
PCS?s new centralised electronic system would accept and handle all information in the import?export process. It would then filter and distribute the information to the relevant parties, thereby saving thousands of man-hours.
