Modernising cargo data exchange requires a collective shift in mindset across the industry. This insight brings together the report’s recommendations, showing how focusing on high-impact problems, agreeing clear data principles, and treating data as shared infrastructure can drive meaningful, long-term change.
Our recent report finds that the barriers to effective cargo data exchange are primarily structural and behavioural rather than technical. This is best illustrated by the fact that mature digital tools are widely available. Yet, the industry continues to rely on inconsistent data, outdated systems, and fragmented communication between terminals, carriers, and vessels.
As shown in Why Data Exchange Fails and The Business Case for Better Cargo Data Exchange, the lack of a shared operational view currently creates delays, inefficiencies, rework, and even safety risks.
The evidence gathered for this report shows that a cultural shift is required for progress to be achieved, a move away from data being viewed as a competitive entity to a shared operational asset which supports safety, reliability, and efficiency for all stakeholders.
The key industry aim should be to build alignment between stakeholders. To achieve this, four key recommendations for the next steps for the industry have been identified.
Start by fixing the problems that cause the most daily issues.
The priority for improving cargo data exchange should be to identify the small number of data points that cause the most disruption when incorrect or missing. Information related to cut-and-run decisions, first-call vessels, and repeated re-planning cycles should be the focus.
Agree on data principles before releasing new technology.
To build trust, industry stakeholders should agree on the ownership of different datasets, access to it, and the reasons for sharing them. An effective way to ensure this would be to establish a governance structure, agreed upon before a system rollout.
Treat cargo data exchange as a shared issue.
The industry should approach cargo data exchange as one if change is to occur. One-off integrations between individual parties won’t scale due to the differing levels of digital maturity globally.
Get the basics right on data quality and responsibility.
Data platforms rely on complete and accurate data sets. Determining responsibility for data accuracy during creation would help improve accountability and reduce future issues.
Ultimately, modernising cargo data exchange is not about replacing systems but connecting them. The industry has the technology it needs to move forward; what is required is trust, consistency, and a commitment to act collectively.
To discover what effective cargo data exchange looks like, and how it can be achieved in today’s port operations read the full Thought Leadership report ‘Rethinking Cargo Data Exchange: Modernising Communication Between Terminals, Carriers, and Vessels’ produced in partnership with Kaleris.
