Page 5: of Maritime Reporter Magazine (February 16, 2026)

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3RUW'LJLWL]DWLRQ$FFHOHUDWLQJH?FLHQF\DQG operational awareness

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Vesa: $WLWVFRUHSRUWGLJLWL]DWLRQPHDQVVXSSRUWLQJWKHZD\SRUWVDOUHDG\ operate, making it easier, faster, and more connected. Ports have been running successfully for decades. They have experienced teams, proven procedures, and strong stakeholder relationships. Digitization is not about replacing that experience. It is about giving those teams better tools.

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Today, coordination often happens through emails, phone calls, spreadsheets,

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Vesa: A Port Management Information System, or PMIS, is the central

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port. It brings together vessel scheduling, berth planning, marine services coordination, stakeholder communication, and billing into one integrated

Digitization connects those processes into one shared platform. Instead

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For a port beginning its digitization journey, PMIS often becomes the

Interviewer: Many ports have been operating successfully for decades.

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Vesa: 7KHUHLVQRVLQJOHDQVZHUDVHDFKSRUWLVGL?HUHQW7KHSRUWVWKDW connected backbone. A PMIS provides that backbone and enables the port to

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Vessel sizes are increasing. Information expectations are higher. Cybersecurity and stakeholders operate from the same validated data.

standards are stricter. Boards are asking for better reporting and forecasting. &XVWRPHUVH[SHFWUHDOWLPHXSGDWHV'LVUXSWLRQVRFFXUPRUHIUHTXHQWO\

Changes cascade automatically. A vessel delay updates schedules. Resource

All of this increases operational complexity. A modern Port Management allocations adjust. Billing events are captured accurately. Reporting becomes

Information System acts as the operational backbone to manage that

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Interviewer: Many ports still rely on spreadsheets, emails, and legacy

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Port operations are experiencing a similar evolution.

If there is hesitation around those questions, it may be time to explore :KHQLQIRUPDWLRQLVHQWHUHGLQWRPXOWLSOHVSUHDGVKHHWVRUVKDUHGDFURVV

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It is about strengthening it. In an increasingly connected maritime ecosystem,

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A connected platform eliminates redundant data entry, reduces

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WLPHGDVKERDUGVUHSODFHPDQXDOUHSRUWLQJ%XLOWLQDXGLWWUDLOVVWUHQJWKHQ compliance and transparency. It is not about declaring traditional tools obsolete. It is about reducing administrative friction and creating a scalable :DQWWR?QGRXWPRUH"&RQWDFWXVDW

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Maritime Reporter

First published in 1881 Maritime Reporter is the world's largest audited circulation publication serving the global maritime industry.