The digitization of landside operations in the maritime industry through Port Community Systems (PCS) is transforming global trade efficiency. By integrating such systems, Sri Lanka has the opportunity to establish a National Logistics Portal that streamlines export and import operations, ensuring seamless port processes and faster trade.
Countries like India and Saudi Arabia have already implemented PCS, connecting major ports, minimizing bureaucracy, and enhancing data-sharing between trusted systems. India’s system, linking 29 stakeholders, has greatly improved container handling, yard utilization, and cost efficiency, while Saudi Arabia’s system enables direct communication with other digital port infrastructures.
IT and logistics consultant Abhijith Desai emphasized that transitioning from port-centric to exporter-importer-centric operations will significantly benefit Sri Lanka. With Colombo Port ranked the 22nd busiest in the world, modernizing its still largely analogue operations is critical. The Sri Lanka Ports Authority has invited expressions of interest to implement digital solutions, with India being a key potential partner due to its strong transshipment traffic with Colombo.
Desai pointed out that India has almost fully digitized port operations, making berthing, cargo handling, and declarations seamless and paperless. Sri Lanka, he suggests, could adopt a homegrown or regional solution to ensure a culturally and operationally compatible system. With over 14 international parties expressing interest, the success of Sri Lanka’s port automation project will depend on its policy direction, public-private collaboration, and implementation speed.