Having been selected, together with HPC Hamburg Port Consulting (HPC), by the U.S. Department of State Export Control and Border Security (EXBS) program and U.S. Department of Justice International Criminal Investigative Training Assitance Program (ICITAP), in consultation with the Georgia Maritime Transport Agency (MTA) and Amentum, Prodevelop is developing the software for the establishment of a National Maritime Single Window (NMSW) in Georgia during phase 2A of the project.
The Spanish firm has developed the FAL forms defined by the IMO, the Maritime Health Declaration, ISPS and the Waste Declaration.
Having these elements will add a multitude of advantages and benefits for Georgia and all its ports, which handle more than 50 million tons and 2.2 million TEUs annually. The application of these standards will improve their interoperability, harmonizing the exchange of electronic data and the requirements for port calls.
In addition, it represents a great advance in terms of digitalization, transparency and simplification of processes. On the other hand, it should be noted that the implementation of the NMSW will mark a before and after in terms of security, thanks to improvements in the control of goods.
In this way, Georgia will increase its competitiveness, and attract new customers, who will benefit from the new system, with greater security, agility and reduction of bureaucratic processes.
MTA’s Director, Aleksi Akhvlediani, pointed up the importance of this second phase of the project for the maritime community, affirming that “Implementation of MSW is of strategic importance for Georgia. Thanks to modern digital systems, the maritime community now is able to increase communication and supply exchange between Central Asia and Europe even more, promote safe shipping on the Black Sea and deepen regional cooperation. Georgian port sector understand the importance of this project and each of stakeholder is doing their best, the results of which we can already see today. the collective involvement of all stakeholders is a key factor for a rapid and successful go-live of the national platform in the shortest possible time.”
The importance of a project on this supranational scale is reflected in its governance structure. Funded by the Department of State Export Control and Border Security (EXBS) program and managed by the U.S. Department of Justice International Criminal Investigative Training Assistance Program (ICITAP), the project is being launched by Amentum to be commissioned and managed in the future by the MTA as the owner of the Georgia NMSW.
When asked about Georgia’s NMSW, Christophe Joubert, Director of International Operations at Prodevelop, highlighted the facilitation of access to best practices by interested parties, stating that “Georgia is showing the path for other states and port authorities by adopting, implementing and effectively applying an IMO compliant maritime single window to ship and port clearance processes.”
As strategic partners, both Prodevelop and HPC are fully aware of the importance of the project and are therefore actively collaborating with all parties involved in it. With 30 years of experience behind it, Prodevelop has developed and implemented a multitude of Maritime Windows and Port Community Systems, ensuring a well-founded smooth and agile approach.
