[ Port of Hamburg: Paperless Port from 1997 ]

As one of the leading ports of the world, Hamburg has doubled its
container handling volume to as much as 3 million TEU in the past
eight years. Continuing investment in modern technology have allowed
Hamburg to maintain and even extend its prominent position in
container traffic.
In order to meet the challenge of future competition at the end of
1995 five major operators of container terminals in Hamburg jointly
created the Paperless Port Project. The companies involved are Buss,
EUROKAI, HHLA, HUG and Unikai. It is their common objective to
introduce a standardized paperless full-container dispatch system
throughout Hamburg’s container terminals.
As a key to efficient information logistics, electronic data exchange
is replacing a number of paper documents in use recently.
This will be achieved on the basis of uniform standards,
international EDIFACT formats(Electronic Data Interchange for
Administration, Commerce and Transport) and existing port systems
such as:-HABIS(Hafenbahn-Betriebs-und Informations-System=port
railway operations and information
system)-GEGIS(Gefahrgut-Informations-System=hazardous goods
information system)-TRUCKSTATION
In addition, by the introduction of a customs export control system
within the Paperless Port named ZAPP(Zoll-Ausfuhrkonrolle im
Paperless Port), swift handling of export-related cusiness will be
achieved.
According to present plans, the Paperless Port will be introduced
within the framework of a comprehensive pilot project in 1997, in
cooperation with the port’s clients. Upon the pilot project’s
successful conclusion, the Paperless Port will be rapidly extended to
all customers, including shipping companies, agents, forwarders,
shippers and railways as well as to other ports, authorties and
institutions.
Standardized electronic data communications between all Mamburg
container terminals and the smooth flow of comprehensive, accurate
data preceding shipment will play an indispensable part in further
enhancing the high quality and speed of container dispatch via the
Port of Hamburg. Though in the medium term it is planned to develop
progressively the use of international EDIFACT standards, the port of
Hamburg will protect its customers’ investiment by ensuring complete
compatibility with existing systems. Thus it will be possible to
employ formats such as within ACTION(Agents Container Transports
Improving & Organizing Network)or the CBS(Container-Bewe-GugngsSATZ=
container movement notification) during a specified transition
period.
Moreover, clients’ specific requirements regarding data exchange
systems will be met by offering sufficient flexibility: Apart from
direct data terminals, it will be possible to employ many types of
transfer modes such as e.g. VANS(Value-Added Network Services), and
to benefit from the services offered by the Hamburg port
communication service provider DAKOSY. Even customers not equipped
with the appropriate hardware will be able to participate through the
provision of service terminals to capture and transmit relevant data.