The IAPH Data Collaboration Committee met virtually on 7 September and was well attended by over thirty members. This was the first technical committee meeting after the summer break where a new format, devoting time for in-depth discussions and exchange between members on a limited number of key topics was successfully tested. The central topic this time was the future of workforce in ports and how to prepare and attract the needed skills and talent in line with the advances in digitalisation and automation while addressing associated concerns. Members exchanged on the impact of digitalisation and automation on port employment, shared their practical experiences and projects in these fields, and reflecting on ways to attract the right talent and people in ports. The discussion will be continued in the following period in the dedicated DCC ‘future of work’ working group that will be making concrete proposals to the committee on follow-up deliverables and actions. Furthermore, members were updated on the work of the International Task Force on Port Call Optimization and the good progress that has been achieved over the summer period regarding the harmonisation and standardisation of the nautical, operational and administrative data sets that are crucial for optimising the port call process. Members also discussed the recent UN/CEFACT initiative to publish a geofence white paper focusing on defining rules and driving towards quality geofences that can be used and trusted by the industry. Finally, the committee was updated on all the ongoing joint IAPH initiatives with third parties (WCO, World Bank, Chainport, WEF) and the respective sessions and publications to take place during the World Port Conference in Abu Dhabi. The next meeting of the Data Collaboration Committee will be taking place online on 7 December 2023.
